Lucky lab gives Lightning best Chance to win
TAMPA, Fla. - They say all good things must come to an end, and the saying holds true even when you're the luckiest dog in Tampa.
Chance, six-year-old yellow lab belonging to Sun Sports' Tampa Bay Lightning producer Rob Allaer, has been a good luck charm for the Lightning since the holiday season, when Allaer started bringing him to occasional home games.
Chance became a fixture at the St. Pete Times forum after he was in attendance for recent wins over the Coyotes and Devils, and heading into Saturday night's tilt with the Montreal Canadiens, the Lightning were an impressive 7-0-0 when Chance was in attendance.
Unfortunately, the propitious pooch finally suffered his first loss on Saturday, a 4-2 defeat at the hands of the Habs. But the lucky dog had an explanation for the defeat.
He showed up late and had to leave early because of rain (or at least that's the excuse he's giving us). So we'll tentatively call the Lightning 7-1-0 when Chance is on duty.
Chance isn't too worried about the loss, though he's got bigger bones to chew. Plus, given the dog-eat-dog nature of the NHL, everyone knew his streak had to end sometime.
During games, Chance stays in the production truck with Allaer - they say he's quite the director - but before the games, he hangs around outside the truck, which is located near the players' parking lot.
Allaer says that almost every player approaches Chance to say hello - and maybe get in a good luck rub behind the ears - before they go into the arena.
"He brings out the kid in them," Allaer told the St. Pete Times. "They'll just come over and hug him. He loves the attention."
Tampa Bay having a yellow lab as a good luck charm isn't some dog and pony show, either. Allaer says the Lightning players and coaches believe he brings them good luck, and are still trying to convince him to bring Chance to every game, even after the loss.
But after three straight home games, Chance is dog-tired, and now that he doesn't have the pressure of an undefeated record on his shoulders, he wants to rest up for the biggest regular season games and, of course, the playoffs.
After all, as Aller said, the postseason is "where Chance earns his bones."