Lightning LW Steve Stamkos, D Victor Hedman and RW Nikita Kucherov appeared from the ice at Amalie Arena with the Stanley Cup on "The Tonight Show." Stamkos said of the celebrations after winning the title Monday night, “You name it, we did it.” Stamkos: “This is the greatest trophy in all of sports, because you can drink whatever the heck you want out of it.” NBC's Jimmy Fallon said to Hedman, “Victor, you won MVP. How does it feel to be better than everybody?” Hedman: “I did not expect that at all.” Fallon: “In times like this, we’re looking for any good news at all. We need good news, we need things to celebrate, and you guys gave us something to celebrate” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 9/30).
Earlier yesterday, a “flotilla of boats carrying players, staff and fans paraded up the Hillsborough River through downtown, followed by a free celebration at Raymond James Stadium with an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people in the stands.” About 50 vessels carried Lightning players and team staff, but they were “far outnumbered by fans who had shown up in bass boats, cruisers, pontoons, jet skis and yachts.” Stamkos during the celebration said, “Mr. Vinik, you started it, you started the culture on this team. It’s not only the players on the ice, but the community around us. I don’t give a s--t what they say about Florida and hockey, this is the best hockey town ever” (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 10/1).
