The Lightning for this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs "won't block people with out-of-state ZIP codes" from making ticket purchases at Amalie Arena, as the team "just doesn't need to do it any more," according to a front-page piece by Steve Contorno of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. During last year's Stanley Cup Playoffs run, the Lightning "frustrated fans of opposing teams with tight restrictions on who could buy tickets." But now, the team heads to its third consecutive postseason, and "consistent success and a growing, energized fan base have pushed season ticket sales to 13,500," indicating the team "doesn't expect too many single-game" playoff tickets will be available to opposing fans. Last year's postseason restrictions "foiled many fans" of the Red Wings, Canadiens, Rangers and Blackhawks, or "at least pushed them to more expensive secondary markets." Lightning CEO Steve Griggs said, "It's a statement about the reaction of the market to what we're building. Five years ago we couldn't get 5,000 season-ticket holders and our fan base was disengaged." Contorno notes the Lightning will "still monitor whether season ticket holders attend the games or sell their seats on secondary markets." Griggs "didn't say how many tickets a person would have to sell before it put their seats at risk, but he didn't anticipate it would be an issue." The Lightning will still "bar opposing team colors and sweaters in two premium seating sections: the Chase Club Level 4 and Lexus Lounge" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 4/7).
