A Long, Strange Trip

It took 14 years, but the Lightning finally completed its run from rock bottom to the top.

'90

May 1990
Hall of Fame center Phil Esposito announces he is heading a group that will bid for an expansion franchise in Tampa Bay.

September 1990
Esposito stages flan exhibition game at the Suncoast Dome between Wayne Gretzky's Kings and Mario Lemieux's Penguins. The game draws an astonishing 25,581 but is delayed 10 minutes because of puddles on the ice.

November 1990
With his financing in question, Esposito goes to Tokyo to make a pitch to Japanese investors. Esposito later says, "I said 'hockey,' but they thought I said 'sake,' so they gave me the money."

December 1990

The franchise—named the Lightning by Esposito after an epiphany during a storm—is awarded to his group over Compuware, which balks at the $50 million expansion fee.

'92

September 1992
Female goalie Manon Rh�aume plays in an exhibition game versus the Blues, generating needed publicity. She allows two goals on nine shots. Until Nikolai Khabibulin, Rh�aume is the most renowned Lightning goalie.

October 1992
Chris Kontos has four goals as Tampa beats Chicago 7-3 in the franchise opener. B-list Canadian actor Alan Thicke is pregame master of ceremonies.