Lightning fans break down barriers, throw COVID-19 rules out the window following Stanley Cup victory

In case you missed it last night, the Tampa Bay Lightning were crowned Stanley Cup champions after defeating the Dallas Stars in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. The drink was flowing behind the scenes as Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman, Nikita Kucherov and the rest of the Lightning celebrated late into the evening.

Check it out:

Back home in Tampa the fans assembled outside Amalie Arena were having themselves a celebration, as well. In fact, perhaps too much of a celebration. While the Lightning had opened up "Thunder Alley" for a viewing party, things quickly got out of hand on scene. Fans reportedly bypassed or explicitly took down barricades in order to gain entrance to the party and well... see for yourself:

That doesn't look like "social distancing" to me. That looks more like a Metallica concert to be honest. Not a mask in sight too. I wouldn't wish ill will toward anyone so I can only hope that these people and their loved ones don't suffer any effects. After all, Florida isn't exactly out of the woods when it comes to COVID-19, the threat is still very much a part of everyday life down there. 

At the very least the mob made it difficult for media members to do their jobs, as well. Victoria Price of WFLA reports that fans took over the media's stage. 

Check it out:

I'll be honest... some of these videos are just crazy:

Never underestimate mob mentality and its ability to make people act in ways that they wouldn't otherwise. Again, I can only hope that everyone involved comes out of this healthy. Who am I to call people out for celebrating when their team wins the Stanley Cup? It's a moment in history for those fans and they've already sacrificed so much in terms of how they're allowed to congregate and celebrate this post-season as it is. I can't blame people for wanting to get together and celebrate a Stanley Cup championship. Now, do I think the Lightning made a mistake in organizing this event in the first place? Maybe, but at a certain point you have to acknowledge that fans are going to get together anyways. At least there was an effort made on behalf of the team to do things safely and within local regulations.