The production lines at Tampa’s Smack Apparel are cranking out off-the-wall t-shirts, like one that reads, “we’ve got to bring Stanley back cause Lord know, he could use another tan.”
The company took some risks, printing up some shirts in advance of last night’s final score. And now that the team is heading to the Stanley Cup, shirt printing is running full steam. Products made here end up in about 70 Publix stores across the Bay area.
The founder of the company can’t be any happier.
“People forget their problems, their worries, their issues, and they just kind of unite around the cause, I mean the Bolts are in the Stanley Cup. How awesome is that?” Wayne Curtiss said.
If you want licensed NHL items, you have to go to a place that sells it. Donna and Chris Martin are long-time Lightning fans who went to every home game back in 2004. We met them at “Dick’s Sporting Goods” stocking up on “Eastern Conference Champions” hats and shirts.
You can bet, they watched every minute of the Bolt’s big win.
“We were screaming, scared our dogs to death. And then when Palat got the second goal it’s like, you knew it” said Donna Martin.
Donna’s husband isn’t blowing the Bolt’s gear budget in one visit.
“I’m waiting a little bit because I’m waiting for the Stanley Cup Finals gear, so I’m not going too crazy here today,” said Chris Martin.
Both fans are just now calming down from last night’s shut out.
“You cannot believe how long a minute can last. You’re just going, okay, 59, 58, 57, 40, 30, 20, 10, we did it yes! Go bolts, I can’t wait” Donna Mills said.
The hockey craze shows no signs of letting up.
“Go bolts! Be the thunder!” shouted Lauren Delaney, of Dick’s Sporting Goods.
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