Orlando to host Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Preseason game to take place in September

Florida Panthers center Kevin Stenlund (82) and Tampa Bay Lightning center Michael Eyssimont (23) battle for the puck during the third period of Game 5 of the first-round of an NHL Stanley Cup Playoff series, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) (Wilfredo Lee, Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

ORLANDO, Fla. – Central Florida hockey fans will get to see Florida’s professional hockey teams battle it out on the ice at the Kia Center in Orlando in September.

The Florida Panthers will face the Tampa Bay Lightning for a preseason game on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.

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The newly-minted Stanley Cup champions faced the Lightning last October at the Kia Center and lost 2-0.

But the Panthers got the last laugh in April during the NHL playoffs when they knocked the Lightning out of Stanley Cup contention, winning four out of five games.

The Panthers went on to face the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Finals, beating them in Game 7 of the championship on Monday.

It’s not known yet when tickets for the September game will go on sale.

The Kia Center is the home to the Orlando Solar Bears. The Tampa Bay Lightning is the parent club of the Solar Bears.

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