Have you ever wondered if you could bring a Stanley (drinkware) cup into the theme parks in Orlando? Apparently, you can, especially if you’re a back-to-back champion and have the real NHL Stanley Cup.
That’s what the Florida Panthers did after losing 3-2 to the Tampa Bay Lightning at Kia Center in Orlando. It’s still preseason. So, both teams allowed their stars to rest and gave more ice time to newcomers and anyone still battling for a spot on the main roster.
The next day, the Panthers, including Sergei Bobrovsky, Sam Bennett, Anton Lundell, Brad Marchand, Bill Zito, and others, visited Universal Studios’ Epic Universe theme park. They had a special guest by their side – Lord Stanley. Players and staff reserved a VIP experience package, so the Stanley Cup didn’t require an extra ticket.
After enjoying the rides, everyone headed to Universal CityWalk, where parkgoers and visitors could take a picture with the most famous hockey trophy.
Team-bonding is a vital moment before the regular season starts. The Panthers will have their home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks and a banner-raising ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 7. After that, it’s all work, focus, and forechecking. The upcoming season will be filled with new challenges related to the injuries of the leaders.
So, it’s great to see that the Panthers have had time to party, relax, and get ready.