TAMPA — Many hockey players and coaches have pre-game rituals or good-luck charms they refuse to let go of because they believe they’re tied into their success.
Lightning coach Jon Cooper has one of each.
Prior to the start of every game, Cooper pulls a wrapped piece of Dubble Bubble brand bubble gum out of his pocket, unwraps it and pops it into his mouth, where it stays until the game is over.
But not just any old type of Dubble Bubble gum. Since one of his first days behind a bench, only the rare rectangular version that comes with a comic will do.