The Florida Panthers are Stanley Cup Champions.
The atmosphere was electric from the moment fans began entering Amerant Bank Arena in anticipation of what was coming. It reached a fever pitch with Panther great Roberto Luongo banging the drum to fire up the fans right before the puck drop.
Florida saved their best for last, putting on a defensive clinic to shut down the high-powered Oiler offense, winning their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
The third time for the Panthers proved to be the charm, as they won their first Stanley Cup on their third try. In 1996, before many Panther fans were even born, the Panthers were swept by the Colorado Avalanche.
Last season saw the Vegas Golden Knights defeat the Panthers in five games. But this year, the Florida Panthers raised the Cup after an impressive 2-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers, winning the series 4-3.
Carter Verhaeghe had a goal and an assist, and Sam Reinhart scored in the second period to give the Panthers the 2-1 lead they would never relinquish. Sergei Bobrovsky, the runner-up for the Conn Smyth Trophy, made 23 saves for the Panthers in the game-seven win. Connor McDavid ended up winning the Conn Smyth.
It was quite a scene in South Florida as the ice crew swept the rats off the ice while the Stanley Cup entered Amerant Arena.
The Tkachuk Family Celebrates Together
There are always so many great stories surrounding winning the Stanley Cup. But the best storyline had to be that of the Tkachuk family.
Matthew Tkachuk became the first member of his family to win the Stanley Cup. His dad, Keith Tkachuk, had a long and illustrious 17-year career in the NHL and never won the Stanley Cup.
Matthew said he wanted to win this one for his family, especially his dad. Brother Brady Tkachuk, who plays for the Ottawa Senators, was there to support his brother Matt and take in the game seven final.
“This is for my family,” Tkachuk said. “Finally, the Tkachuk name will be on the Cup. This is for them. It was a long time coming, but this was for them. That is the best part of all of this.”
Paul Maurice Finally Wins A Stanley Cup
Coach Paul Maurice, coaching in game number 1985 and his 137th playoff game, finally got to lift the Cup in his 29th season as a coach in the NHL.
It has been a long, strange trip for Maurice. From that cold November night in Hartford in 1995, where he got his first NHL win as head coach, to the shores of South Florida, where he would finally get to hoist the Stanley Cup, it has been quite the journey for Paul Maurice.
Maurice, who improved to 5-0 in game sevens, talked about his team overcoming a 3-0 deficit and winning the Stanley Cup.
“They played with freedom, and that’s what I’m going to remember from this game,” Maurice said. “The story gets written differently if we don’t win, but under the most pressure, they found the courage to play with some freedom, to make plays, to move the puck. They get to say, ‘In Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, I was at my best.'”
We all thought the series would be over quickly after the Panthers took a 3-0 series lead. But give the Oilers credit, they battled back to tie the series at 3-3 before the Panthers put Edmonton away on home ice to win the Stanley Cup.
Sergei Bobrovsky Cements His Legacy
Sergei Bobrovsky, who saved his best for last, talked about the Panther’s mindset from letting the 3-0 lead disappear to playing their best game in the series and winning game seven.
“To become a true champion you have to overcome adversity, and that was the moment you have to get together and get the job done. We weren’t afraid to make a mistake. We played with freedom. We attacked.”
With this Stanley Cup win, Bobrovsky, one of the best goaltenders of our generation, added to his legacy in a stellar career. He has the Vezina’s, and he’s now won a Stanley Cup, which should earn him a spot one day in the Hockey Hall of Fame once he hangs up his skates.
Sam Bennett had high praise for Bobrovsky and his play throughout the playoffs. “He’s been our best player all year long, all playoffs long. When we needed him the most, he stood on his head again tonight. It’s just incredible.”
Now the off-season begins. Some of the stars of this Stanley Cup playoff run will be gone next season due to salary cap issues.
But now is not the time to think about that. It’s about enjoying the moment that the Florida Panthers have given to the hockey fans in South Florida.
The Panthers announced that they will host their Championship Celebration on Sunday, June 30, at 11 a.m. in Fort Lauderdale, with a parade along A1A starting at Riomar Street and concluding north of Fort Lauderdale Beach Park.
It all seems like a dream, but it is reality. Repeat after me.
THE FLORIDA PANTHERS ARE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!