TAMPA, Fla. — On the night 23 years ago the Lightning formally introduced hockey to a city better known for humidity, the hosts beat the Blackhawks 7-3 in a game so lopsided, Hawks owner Bill Wirtz left in a huff.
After the Lightning's Chris Kontos scored his third goal that Oct. 7, 1992, fans in the Expo Hall crowd of 10,425 honored the hat trick by throwing their caps onto the ice. Ushers unfamiliar with hockey's custom began escorting offenders to the exits.
"They started throwing people out of the building," recalled Tony Esposito, Blackhawks ambassador and Lightning pioneer who was part of the original ownership group with his brother, Phil.