Drive past Our Savior Lutheran Church in the Tampa/St. Pete Florida area and love, joy and hope are on the building's billboard. It’s not about salvation, but more about optimism towards the Tampa Bay Lightning, and a few digs at their first round opponent, the Detroit Red Wings.

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If only the power of prayer could help Steven Stamkos score a goal this series.

The man who created his idea is Tyler Moore, and assistant pastor at the church.

“I’ve been at this church in St. Pete now, going on two years, and I really wanted to do it when the Lightning made the playoffs last year, but as you recall maybe, it was right before Easter, so I couldn’t get away with a sign right before Easter, so this year the timing worked out,” he said. “I’m having a blast with it. The congregation, they’re laughing a little bit because they love it. It’s their goofy pastor having a good time with it.”

Moore isn’t seeking attention. He is just a big hockey fan who wants to have fun. A longtime Tampa resident, he loves the Lightning and hopes that some divine intervention can help his team thrash the Red Wings in Game 7 on Wednesday.

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Ha, that’s a good one.

We chatted with Moore about how this all started and the community response in Florida.

Q: What can you do to help Steven Stamkos score a goal in this series?

MOORE: I can’t literally take the stick for him. Stammer is putting a lot of pressure on himself. He had the great assist the other night to (Jason) Garrison, but I was kind of laughing yesterday because the night before Game 6, I lay in bed and I prayed for each player on the roster. No lie. I was like, ‘I can’t believe I’m doing this’ but I went through the roster. It wasn’t like to give them victory because I don’t think god cares much about that, but I definitely prayed … ‘Give Ben Bishop focus’ and ‘Let Tyler Johnson be fast’ and use their attributes. With Stamkos I prayed he wasn’t frustrated because that has to be so frustrating. You have 43 goals in the season and here he can’t put the biscuit in the basket in the playoffs.

Have you prayed enough for Game 7?

Last night I prayed for coach (Jon) Cooper. I prayed he would have clarity and focus and the ability to communicate properly and make adjustments. He showed a lot in Game 6, going with the 11 forwards and seven defensemen, and he’s showing he knows what he’s doing and that he’s a good coach. Obviously Mike Babcock is a great coach, but he’s showing what he can do there. I think because it’s on home ice and this is the game for the Lightning remember, ‘We’re the Lightning, we had 108 points during the regular season.’ I think they come out fast, I think they score first and they don’t let up after that.

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