The Tampa Bay Lightning shut out the Dallas Stars 2-0 Monday night in game six, taking the Stanley Cup for just the second time in the team’s history. The last win was back in 2004. The Bolts also become the first team since 1977 to win the Cup without their captain dressed for the game. The Lightning’s Victor Hedman was honored as the playoff MVP taking home the Conn Smythe Trophy. And what about next season? The NHL The NHL has a tentative start date of December 1st.

The Lightning will celebrate with a boat parade Wednesday along the Tampa Riverwalk starting at 5 pm, followed by a “Championship Celebration” at Raymond James Stadium at 7 pm. Social distancing and mask orders will be followed. You must have a ticket that’s free and can be claimed here for up to six people.

We’re in phase three of the reopening process with restaurants allowed to operate at 100% capacity, but mask and social distancing orders are still in place. Tampa residents were reminded with a text from the city Sunday. There’s also a question if bars are allowed to also move from 50 to 100%.

Dr Anthony Fauci is not a fan of Florida’s phase three reopening order. The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force calls what Florida is doing “very concerning” and stressed using common sense when it comes to our health and safety.

The Tampa Bay Rays start their playoff games tonight. They won the AL East and move on to the best-of-three series playoff that will at the Trop starting today. Rays manager Kevin Cash will have Blake Snell on the mound to start Game 1.

Monday’s COVID-19 numbers in Florida rose by 738 for a total of 701,302 cases. There were five new Florida resident deaths for a total of 14,037. For the latest information from the Florida Dashboard on COVID-19 numbers, check the Dove Coronavirus site and the Florida Dashboard that is updated daily at 11 am, weekends. The Florida Department of Health also has the COVID-19 Call Center open 24/7 at 1-866-779-6121. You can also reach them by email at covid-19@flhealth.gov. Email responses will be sent during call center hours.

Another large, annual festival has been canceled over COVID-19 concerns. Tampa’s annual Greek Festival will not happen so we’ll have to wait another year to “Eat, Dance and Be Greek.” St. John Greek Orthodox Church, which hosts the festival is accepting donations by check at 2418 W. Swann Ave. Tampa, Fl. 33609, and online at tampagreekfestival.com or stjohntpa.org.

Cox Media Group