FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Champagne was swilled and spilled, cigars have been smoked and the Stanley Cup was hoisted just a few extra instances, all with about 400,000 individuals watching.
The Florida Panthers are getting fairly good at these parades.
The back-to-back Stanley Cup champions had their championship parade and rally on Fort Lauderdale Seaside on Sunday, the identical setup as final yr — besides this time, shiny sunshine greeted the champs versus downpours and lightning a yr in the past.
“It is a little bit higher day in the present day than it was final yr, however nonetheless, that is superb,” Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov stated. “What a day we’re having with you guys.”
Panthers coach Paul Maurice declared this “the summer season of affection” for followers of the workforce, doing so whereas carrying one other shirt featured his beloved cats Poppy and Penny — a shirt made by his daughter. He wore the same shirt to final yr’s parade, additionally made by his daughter.
There have been cries of “Thanks, Boston” when Brad Marchand — who got here to Florida in a commerce with the rival Bruins — was launched. Marchand, a free agent, once more indicated that he desires to be again with the Panthers, who gained this season’s Cup by topping the Edmonton Oilers in six video games.
“I am so completely happy that I haven’t got to play towards these guys anymore,” Marchand stated, pointing to his Florida teammates.
Panthers ahead Matthew Tkachuk drew loud roars when he informed the group that he “want to apologize to utterly … no one as a result of a double champ does no matter … he desires,” copying a line utilized by Conor McGregor when he grew to become a double UFC champion.
“I might get used to this,” Tkachuk stated as he seemed out on the crowd — a few of whom have been within the water, with most others packed a whole lot of yards deep down the sand. Tkachuk then thanked workforce proprietor Vincent Viola and common supervisor and hockey operations president Invoice Zito for buying and selling for him three years in the past, saying it modified his life.
Defenseman Aaron Ekblad, simply as he did final yr, took a shot at golfer Brooks Koepka who famously went to a Panthers sport as soon as to heckle the veteran defenseman.
Ahead Sam Reinhart, who scored 4 objectives within the clinching win over Edmonton, missed final yr’s parade as a result of a detailed pal was getting married. He did not miss Sunday.
“The one factor I’ve heard all day is how that is the most effective parade that is ever been had in South Florida,” Reinhart stated. “Thank God I missed final yr and never this yr.”
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky thanked the group, and stated he hoped there was one other parade subsequent yr. And Sam Bennett, the Conn Smythe Trophy winner, heard the group chanting their hopes of him getting a brand new contract with the Panthers. So, he ended his speech with the identical request.
“Eight extra years, please,” Bennett stated.
