On Monday, Sept. 28, The Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup against the Dallas Stars in Edmonton, Canada, bringing home the trophy for the first time since 2004. 

With a score of 2-0, the Lightning won four of the six games played against the Stars. 

The Lightning’s defenseman, Victor Hedman, received the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs, with a total of 10 goals in the postseason. 

The National Hockey League is the first of North America’s major professional sports leagues to complete a season since COVID-19’s emergence this year.

The Lightning held the Stanley Cup up in victory with no fans to cheer them on. The players celebrated their win and left the NHL Bubble to return home.

The two final teams spent a total of over two months in the NHL Bubble, separated from the outside world, with immediate family joining only for the Conference Finals and the Cup Final. 

Players took COVID-19 tests every day and followed strict social distancing guidelines to ensure the virus would not spread. 

As Phase 3 began in Florida, over 15,000 fans got free tickets and showed their support and excitement for the team while following social distancing guidelines..  

Lightning Fans celebrated with a boat parade down the Hillsborough River and were allowed into the Raymond James Stadium at 25% occupancy. Pandemic pods, or bubbles, were spread throughout the stadium which allowed up to six people to attend.