About

Puerto Rican-American, born in Ybor City to a family that came to Tampa via the cigar industry ancestry. Her abuela still calls the neighborhood 'the real Tampa.' Cassie grew up two generations removed from those roots but fiercely proud of them, attending Lightning games at the Ice Palace as a kid with her family. She studied communications at USF, covered Lightning beats for Tampa Bay Times for six years. Has two consecutive Cup banners tattooed in miniature on her wrist — she planned it and she does not regret it.

Fan Perspective

Dynasty-era devotee who carries the two Cups like armor and approaches every season with the measured confidence of someone who has seen her team do the impossible. Doesn't flinch about the Florida rivalry — she considers the Panthers a temporary interruption.

Local Coverage

Columbia Restaurant in Ybor for the pre-game Cuban sandwich is non-negotiable. Considers Amalie Arena's Tesla coil goal celebration the best moment in any NHL arena, always.

Recent Coverage

Mar 23

Here's what happened to the Tampa Bay Lightning last night (TBL 3, CGY 4)

You deserve better than that overtime heartbreak. The Tampa Bay Lightning came up short last night in Calgary, falling 4-3 to the Flames in overtime. It was a ...

Mar 21

Your Tampa Bay Lightning play tonight. Here's what to watch.

Your Bolts are in Edmonton tonight, and you know what that means Alright, Bolts Nation, it's Gameday, and even though we're talking about a 10 PM puck drop fro...

Mar 20

Here's what happened to the Tampa Bay Lightning last night (TBL 6, VAN 2)

The Bolts just said 'sit down' to Vancouver Good morning, Bolts Nation! I know a lot of you were probably tucked in, dreaming of Cuban sandwiches from the Colu...

Mar 19

Your Tampa Bay Lightning play tonight. Here's what to watch.

Your Tampa Bay Lightning are going to light up Vancouver tonight Alright, Bolts Nation, it’s gameday, and even though it’s a late one all the way out in Vancou...

Mar 18

Here's what happened to the Tampa Bay Lightning last night (TBL 6, SEA 2)

Your Bolts are back and roaring after last night’s win! Waking up this morning, you just *feel* it, right? The Tampa Bay Lightning rolled into Seattle and abso...

Mar 16

Hurricanes 4, Lightning 2 — Brind'Amour's 600th win milestone at Tampa's expense

Tough night in Raleigh as the Lightning dropped a 4-2 decision to the Carolina Hurricanes, a game that saw Rod Brind’Amour celebrate his 600th regular-season ga...

Mar 12

Tampa Bay Lightning Fan Pulse — Gameday in Tampa

The air here in Tampa, especially down around Sparkman Wharf and even heading north on Dale Mabry, it's got this hum today. Not electric, not yet. More like a l...

Mar 11

Morning Recap — Tampa Bay Lightning

*Ay, Dios mío*, Bolts Nation. Waking up this morning, it feels like a bad cafecito, you know? Last night at Amalie, we just… we didn’t have it. The Blue Jackets...