Excitement and energy filled the air both in and outside of the Tampa Bay Times Forum Friday night as the Tampa Bay Lightning took on the Montreal Canadiens.
But the excitement didn’t last long as the Canadiens would beat the Lightning 4-1 and fans left with a look of disappointment on their faces.
"They didn't play well enough tonight,” said Bobby Hales who brought his wife and two young kids to see the game. “Montreal just outplayed them."
"Well it was really disappointing,” said Sherry Hales. “The kids were excited to come. And we were hoping for a win."
For some fans, getting a ticket to the game was half the battle so watching it at nearby Hooters was the next best thing.
The restaurant may be known for its wings and waitresses but it’s also a great alternative when tickets come at a premium and there aren’t many to go around.
"We were trying to get tickets but 400 standing room only," said Harry Hills.
With the Lightning dropping a wild one in the opener, the team and its fans hoped to move on to Montreal with at least one game in their pocket.
But those hopes were dashed.
"It's crucial,” said Ian Hills. “Can't go, can't go to Montreal oh two. Can't do it."
"We gotta’ win or otherwise we stand the chance of getting swept and that's never a good thing," said his father, Harry.
But now that it’s 0-2, fans say they’re not about to give up.
"It wasn't very good for Tampa,” said Bobby’s son, Robert. “I was hoping that they'd win but Montreal outplayed us."
Now there’s the hope that Tampa will outplay Montreal in the next game.
"All we gotta’ do is win one and come back here,” said Robert Hales. “So we still have a chance. Just gotta’ win the next game."
And how will they do that? The Hales’ youngest, Carson, 11, said, “Because we're a really good team."