Lightning Legends Reflect on 2004 Cup Win and Hockey’s Growth

TAMPA, Florida (AP) — On June 7, 2004, the Tampa Bay Lightning faced a pivotal moment in franchise history. They battled the Calgary Flames in Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Final, aiming for their first NHL championship. Among the players was Ruslan Fedotenko, who recalled the electric atmosphere in the city.

“It wasn’t just the building inside. We were trying to take a pregame nap, and you could hear people celebrating on the plaza,” Fedotenko said. “It was a very exciting time.”

Fedotenko scored both goals in the Lightning’s 2-1 victory. He netted the first goal on a power-play rebound late in the first period, then added another in the second period with a snap shot. His performance solidified the team’s historic win.

Reflecting on that night, Fedotenko expressed a mix of disbelief and joy. “You try to let it sink in because it just seems surreal at the time,” he said. “It’s just a long journey with turbulent times to get there.”

Fedotenko emphasized how their victory proved hockey could thrive in nontraditional markets like Tampa. “Not too many people in the hockey world believed Tampa Bay could win the Cup. But the organization put a great team together,” he said.

Jeff Vinik, the Lightning’s chairman, was also credited for developing Tampa into a hockey hotspot. The Lightning have won three Stanley Cups in 21 seasons, consistently making the playoffs. “Every year we have a chance to win,” Fedotenko noted.

Pavel Kubina, another key player from the 2004 team, had memorable pre-game experiences. He recalled a storm with lightning striking just before Game Seven. “I thought, ‘Hey, if I see lightning before a game, that’s a good sign for us,’” Kubina said.

The 2004 playoff push was rooted in lessons from previous seasons. Kubina shared that the Lightning’s patrolled blue line had learned what it took to win in the playoffs. They were motivated to advance after feeling the sting of early exits in past seasons.

“We had been playing with the same 10 to 12 guys on the team for three to five years,” Kubina said, explaining how their cohesion helped in 2004. “That really helped after the first and second round because now we really start believing.”

As Game Seven unfolded, Tampa Bay built a 2-0 lead and limited Calgary to just 17 shots on goal. “The city, the people outside and inside, people standing on their feet. That whole Game Seven, you’re never going to forget that,” Kubina said.

As the current Lightning team prepares for another playoff run, Kubina noted the energy from fans is likely to mirror that of 2004. “In the playoffs, you go 110%. You see guys getting beat up and playing through injuries,” he said. “For fans, if they’ve never been to the playoffs, I would say, buckle up.”