Tampa Bay Defies Expectations With Historic Preseason Performance

History continued in Tampa Bay on Thursday as the Tampa Bay Lightning improved to 6-0 on the preseason with an exciting 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers. Tampa’s six straight wins set a new franchise record undefeated streak in the preseason.

Thursday marked the second meeting between Florida and Tampa Bay this week. The Lightning defeated the Panthers 3-2 on Tuesday in their neutral-site matchup and on Thursday recorded their second win over their in-state rival 5-2.

In a change of events, the Panthers struck first in this match as Eetu Luostarinen took advantage of a shorthanded Lightning defense and scored in the 11th minute of the game with an assist by

Gustav Forsling.

The Lightning struck back eight minutes later in the 19th minute before the period ended. Jake Guentzel recorded his first goal on the day during a power play with assists from

Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point.

As the second period got under way, Seth Jones scored the Panthers’ second and what would be their final goal of the day with assists from

Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand on a power play within the first minute.

Once again, the Lightning struck back as the momentum shifted. Brayden Point tied the game 2-2 in the 18thminute with assists from Guentzel and Kucherov (his second assist of the day).

Then have a day Guentzel and Kucherov in the third period as Guentzel scored his second goal of the day in the first minute of the third period on a power play. Kucherov and

Darren Raddysh had the assists.

Conor Geekie followed five minutes later with Tampa’s fourth goal of the day in the sixth minute of the period. He was assisted by the rookie

Dominic James and Gage Goncalves.

And then the puck was turned over to Anthony Cirelli in the 15th minute as he put the nail in the coffin to the Panthers with the Lightning’s fifth goal of the night to make it a 5-2 game and gave the Lightning an extended lead they never looked back on as they went on to defeat Florida 5-2 to improve to 6-0. Cirelli’s goal was assisted by

Declan Carlile.

The Lightning dominated the Panthers on the ice on Thursday with 33 shots on goal compared to Florida’s 18. Tampa won 52.9 percent of the face-offs, had 22.2 percent of the power plays, and had 34 hits to Florida’s 23.

Offensively Point had a goal and an assist for two total points; Kucherov had three assists for three points, but the story of the day was Guentzel with two goals, an assist and three total points as he helped lead the Lightning to a continued historic 6-0 preseason start.

The Lightning will now travel south to Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL. where they will take on the Florida Panthers for the third time this week on Saturday. Puck drop is set for 7PM EST. The Lightning will look to keep their undefeated streak alive when they hit the ice Saturday.

BREAKING: Bryce Young Rejects $18 Million Sponsorship Deal, Stands Against Exploitation of Pennsylvania Farmers

In an unexpected move that has stunned the sports world, Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has turned down an $18 million sponsorship deal with a major Pennsylvania agriculture corporation. The deal was put on the table by the company, which has recently come under fire for allegedly underpaying Pennsylvania dairy workers, drawing criticism from local communities and workers alike.

Young, who is known for his leadership on the field and composure under pressure, has now made headlines for his decision to reject such a lucrative deal, prioritizing his values over financial gain. "I’ve been here most of my life, and I’m not going to benefit from companies that exploit Pennsylvania farmers," Young explained. His stance against corporate exploitation has only strengthened his reputation as a player who stands by his principles.

The company in question has faced significant backlash for its treatment of Pennsylvania’s dairy farmers, who have claimed that the corporation has underpaid them for years, adding to the financial strain many farmers in the region already face. Young, who has been vocal about his commitment to social causes, made it clear that he couldn't support a corporation he believes harms the very backbone of his community. "I’ve talked to farmers who are struggling to get through each season. I can't be associated with a company that is hurting the backbone of our state," said Young.

While turning down such a massive sponsorship deal may have raised eyebrows, Young's decision aligns with a growing movement in professional sports where athletes are using their platforms to take a stand on social and ethical issues. His choice represents a shift away from the typical focus on financial gain, with many in the industry now recognizing the value of integrity and responsibility.

The Panthers organization and Young's fans have rallied behind his decision, with many expressing pride in his moral compass. The Carolina Panthers community has erupted in support, calling Young "a true leader" and the "face of the Panthers with values that matter." Social media has been flooded with messages of admiration for Young’s courage to stand against the exploitation of workers, reinforcing the sentiment that he’s not just a talented quarterback, but a person of strong character.

This move could set a new trend for athletes and sponsorship deals in the future. Young’s rejection of the deal could inspire more athletes to consider the ethical implications of their business decisions, opening the door for a shift in how athletes and corporations engage with each other. As the sports world grapples with its evolving role in social justice, Young’s stance serves as a powerful reminder that athletes have a responsibility to stand for something greater than their financial success.

With the Panthers facing a pivotal season, Bryce Young’s actions off the field may prove just as impactful as his play on it. His decision reflects a new era of athletes who are not afraid to speak out and make their values clear, both in sports and in society.