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Bringing the Thunder: Tampa Bay’s Sticks of Fire

May 25, 2016, 11:51 AM ET [25 Comments]
Jillian Fisher
Blogger •Sports Anthropologist • RSSArchiveCONTACT
When I stumbled on the Sticks of Fire’s Instagram page, I was immediately blown away by what I saw. My first view was a video that they had posted with members decked out in Lightning gear, holding countless flags, and all singing “I believe that we will win.” The next video in the feed I saw was members of the group with a Panthers fan and they were chanting together “Florida Hockey!” I didn’t know when I would get there, but I knew I wanted to learn more. Fast forward 5 months, and I found myself in Tampa experiencing the Sticks of Fire (SoF) firsthand during the Eastern Conference Finals.

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I walked into Splitsville - the meeting spot for the SoF on weekday games - three hours before puck drop and took a seat at the bar. The Sticks of Fire were already filling up their section when I heard my name. Dallas, my contact with the SoF greeted me with a smile. We would remain at Splitsville until the march to the match, and while there, a few of the founding members shared the history of the group with me. They loved the idea of creating a home game atmosphere that was fun and loud for the fans; in a sense, giving them a stronger home ice advantage. What started off as a small handful of fans who used to gather around a 4-top table at Hattricks (yes, Tampa has a long standing hockey bar that is absolutely worth checking out) before the game, has now grown into a three-hundred-member strong group. All of whom share the same desire to support the Bolts and create a community among Lightning fans based on their love for the team.

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More fans began to arrive as we approached the time for the march to the match. The flags, drums, and fans together made for an epic view - a sea of blue and white. And so we marched from Splitsville to Amalie Arena - approximately a 20 minute walk. As we marched, I couldn’t help but notice that no one was letting the heat and humidity stop them. It wasn’t long before I felt a layer of sweat cover me, and I wasn’t even carrying a drum, waving a flag, or leading a chant. As we approached Thunder Alley fans all around were taking pictures and videos of the SoF as they marched.

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We collected together in Thunder Alley, a large open area in front of the arena, to lead one final chant before entering the stadium. Sean Wayne, the de facto capo, belts out “I,” signaling the start of the “I Believe That We Will Win,” chant. At this point, it is hard to tell where the supporters group stops and bystanders start.

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The flags are rolled up and drums put away (as they are not yet allowed inside the arena) and we fist bump the Esposito statue for good luck as we head inside Amalie. We gather briefly inside, and start singing - ensuring that the energy is felt by those inside. Fans surrounding us start to join in. Tampa was ready for hockey.

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With the tone set in the arena from a pair of tesla coils emitting simulated lightning, it is the Sticks of Fire that maintain that tone throughout the entire game. While currently not able to stand for the game, they are no doubt cheering, chanting, and singing their hearts out for all three periods.

While section 307 isn’t theirs alone, they have found ways to make it welcoming to devout Bolts fans and the general population alike. This is something that I hope to see the Lightning organization work with the SoF with in the near future as having that type of dedicated section is important to sustaining and self-regulating the group. Additionally, it will help make the section more powerful. The Sticks of Fire are indeed bringing the thunder and doing their part to make Amalie an intimidating arena for opponents to play in.

It is evident that the organization sees the benefit of having a supporters group that has a core like the SoF: they are welcoming, energetic, fun, and unrelenting in their support. I was actually shocked at the passion shown by this community - from food drives and fundraisers to leading Bolts fans in the arena, the Sticks of Fire have become an asset. Yet in order for the team to cement a reputation as having an arena with a home ice advantage, it will be necessary for the organization to continue to work closer with the Sticks of Fire, who are without a doubt changing the culture of Tampa Bay hockey and creating an electrifying atmosphere.

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You hear about different arenas and passionate fans throughout the league, but for some reason Tampa Bay never comes up in those conversations. It is time we all take notice to the Sticks of Fire and hockey fandom in Tampa Bay.


About Jillian:

Jillian Fisher is a sport anthropologist who focuses on sport culture and fan culture. Growing up with three older brothers, sports have always played a large part of her life. While she enjoys all sports, hockey has always been her first passion. Jillian has traveled across the world - from the Philippines to Italy and across the US - studying the impact of sports, all while cheering for the home team and discovering what makes each place so unique, even being referred to as the Anthony Bourdain of sports. She is currently filming her own web series, Out of the Park, that highlights the different cultures surrounding our favorite sports across the country. Always in search of the next event, Jillian can be contacted on Twitter, Instagram, or emailed at jillianfisher00[at]gmail.com
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