TAMPA — Lightning fans were heading for the exits with three minutes remaining in Tampa Bay's 4-0 loss to Washington Wednesday in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final. Understandable given the disappointment of not reaching the Stanley Cup final after being so close? Or bad form for a fan base known for its enthusiastic support of its team?
We asked the Times' Lightning coverage team for its opinion. Here are its answers:
Martin Fennelly, columnist: Bad form, but understandable. They had their hopes ripped out at the roots. This loss was a blunt object.