A woman performing as ThunderBug was fired, just one week after an incident in which she sprayed Silly String on a Bruins fan during a game.

Lightning spokesman Bill Wickett said the woman, who hasn't been identified, wasn't a full-time employee, but an event-to-event contract peformer the past two years. Others wear the mascot's outfit, and Thunderbug was in the stands for Tuesday's game against the Blue Jackets.

ThunderBug struck a chord with the crowd during last week's game with the Bruins, when a YouTube video shot from the stands showed the mascot spraying Silly String on a seated Boston fan. The fan then got up, and pushed the mascot in the aisle. Security was there, and the fan was briefly escorted up the steps before returning to his seat.

The mascot's actions weren't condoned by the team, but Wickett said last week's incident was just one reason the woman wasn't asked to return.

There has since been a Facebook page titled, "Save Tampa Bay Lightning's ThunderBug's Job."

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@tampabay.com