Red Wings fan sets Lightning flag on fire, charged with arson
By Jason Rowan
A Detroit Red Wings fan took the team’s Game 7 showdown with the Tampa Bay Lightning far too seriously — criminally so, even — and now faces arson charges after she attempted to set a Tampa Bay Lightning flag on fire during Wednesday’s game at Amalie Arena.
Lena Sinishtaj, 35, of Sterling Heights, Mich., was booked on a charge of first-degree arson of an occupied structure charge for her actions during Tampa Bay’s 2-0 series-clinching victory, per a TBO.com report. Hillsborough County Jail records indicate she is currently being held without bond.
Her NSFW Twitter feed chronicles her trip to Tampa to cheer on her Red Wings, a visit that obviously went very, very awry.
Sinishtaj allegedly attempted to ignite the 20-by-30-foot flag which was hanging over approximately 200 people in the arena during a pregame show. Arena security notified authorities and Sinishtaj was taken into custody about 7:45 local time. No one was reportedly injured during the incident.
Tampa police indicated that Sinishtaj utilized a lighter in her attempt to start the fire and even managed to cause a small burn in the flag.
Lightning spokesman Bill Wickett indicated to TBO.com that the incident involving Sinishtaj is not representative of behavior from rival fans visiting the arena, which obviously is encouraging.
Rivalries between teams that develop during the Stanley Cup Playoffs can often start as a slow burn but often increase with intensity as a series progresses. And once Game 7 arrives, it's in full-on burn mode. This Red Wings fan clearly took that notion far too literally.
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