Florida - Timing on catching a Tampa Bay Lightning NHL game pre-flight

I'm walking off a Caribbean cruise ship in Tampa on 15th Jan. somewhere around 9 AM and since my DL flight home isn't until 6 PM was surfing looking for things to do and notice there's an NHL game on very close to where the ship docs.

Game time is 1 PM and games usually run around 3 hours which will take it at least until 4 PM so can I make it from the St. Pete Times Forum channelside to the airport in time? I'd be taking a taxi. How early should I be for security on a Sun. late afternoon? Would an hour be enough assuming I've printed off my boarding pass and done OLCI.

Just a thought as all I had planned on doing was visiting Hooters + the Florida Aquarium to pass the morning & afternoon but the timing of the game is definately convenient and ticket prices for not bad seats around USD$40 aren't bad and much cheaper than I could catch a game here in Edmonton. Anyone with any input on the timing would be appreciated. :)

On a Sunday, you should be fine. There will be little to no rush hour traffic.
If for some reason, you can't get a taxi, walk the short distance to either the Marriott or the other way to Channelside to get a taxi.
Trip to the airport should be about 20 minutes on a Sunday afternoon, maybe 30 with the hockey traffic.
Where are you leaving your luggage during the game? Not sure they would allow it inside the arena.

Where are you leaving your luggage during the game? Not sure they would allow it inside the arena.

Still working on that. :D

What's most convenient seems to drop it at the luggage storage right at the cruise pier when I disembark the ship as the tourist board advised could be done with this company. (http://www.destinationtampa.com/CruisePortServices/tabid/91/Default.aspx) I think the cruise terminal is fairly close to the arena, within a few miles, so wouldn't have to go that far to retrieve the luggage before heading to the airport assuming a healthy supply of taxi's.

Post script: I took the plunge and found $15 tickets ar StubHub that helped make the decision to go for it. The luggage storage facility at the pier closes at 4PM but is only a 10 min. walk from the arena so won't have to worry about how early to leave for the airport as once I pick up the luggage just before 4PM and get a taxi I should be at TPA in plenty of time. I might miss some of the gam but at that price I won't be broken hearted.

I hope Sid Crosby is in the line-up for the Penguins when they play the Lightning.

When you leave the Forum and walk back to get the luggage, you will pass Hooters. With the time you are looking to grab a cab, you will find em from there back to the cruise terminal. there usual spot to wait will be taken up by the game traffic. If there are none around, head back past the Forum to the Marriott or Embassy Suites. Taxis there for sure.

When you leave the Forum and walk back to get the luggage, you will pass Hooters. With the time you are looking to grab a cab, you will find em from there back to the cruise terminal. there usual spot to wait will be taken up by the game traffic. If there are none around, head back past the Forum to the Marriott or Embassy Suites. Taxis there for sure.

Since you are arriving pretty early, you may even consider checking your luggage at the Marriott and going to the game. No worries on the 4pm closing time. Short walk to the Marriott, where taxis should be plentiful. Just a thought.