By: Andrew Silverstein

Alright, Lightning fans.  Now is the time.  We're almost there.  One more round till our second shot at the championship and, soon enough, the Stanley Cup will be back to its rightful home here in Tampa Bay.

Grab your gear and join all your Lightning brethren this Friday at the Tampa Municipal Office Building (306 E. Jackson St.) where Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Tod Leiweke, and Dave Andreychuk will hoist a banner in support of our beloved Lightning as they take on the Boston Bruins this Saturday for the NHL Eastern Conference Finals.

The event starts at 11 a.m. and will be followed by Lightning festivities throughout Downtown Tampa all day.

After the banner ceremony, walk right across the street and enjoy a FREE lunch at Lykes Gaslight Square Park with Thunderbug, the Lightning Girls, and the Lightning Street Team on hand.

The Lightning will also be hosting Team Sandtastic at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park as they turn 12 tons of sand into a Lightning-themed sculpture beginning at 7:30 a.m. and lasting all day Friday.

Since our boys start the series in Boston, you can bet a handful of Downtown  sports bars will be broadcasting the game on their big screens.  Stop in, grab a drink, and cheer on the home team with all your Tampa comrades.

The Lightning won't be back at the Forum till Thursday, May 19th at 8 p.m., but you can get your tickets this Friday, May 13th beginning at 10 a.m. sharp.  You can bet they'll go fast, as tickets are extremely limited for a series like this.

To get tickets, stop by the McDonalds Box Office at the Forum (401 Channelside Drive), visit our St. Pete Times Forum ticket page, or call 1-800-745-3000.  Even if the game's sold out you can still buy tickets here at the Eastern Conference Finals ticket page.

Lets show the nation what Tampa hockey is all about and bring that cup home.  Go Bolts!