FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Champagne was swilled and spilled, cigars have been smoked and the Stanley Cup was hoisted a couple of extra occasions, all with about 400,000 individuals watching.
The Florida Panthers are getting fairly good at these parades.
The back-to-back Stanley Cup winners had their championship parade and rally on Fort Lauderdale Seashore on Sunday, the identical setup as final yr — besides this time, brilliant sunshine greeted the champs versus downpours and lightning a yr in the past.
“It is somewhat higher day at this time than it was final yr, however nonetheless, that is superb,” Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov mentioned. “What a day we’re having with you guys.”
Panthers coach Paul Maurice declared this “the summer season of affection” for followers of the crew, doing so whereas sporting 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 needs to be again with the Panthers, who received this season’s Cup by topping the Edmonton Oilers in six video games.
“I am so blissful that I haven’t got to play in opposition to these guys anymore,” Marchand mentioned, pointing to his Florida teammates.
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 needs,” copying a line utilized by Conor McGregor when he grew to become a double UFC champion.
“I may get used to this,” Tkachuk mentioned as he appeared 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 crew proprietor Vincent Viola and normal 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 targets within the clinching win over Edmonton, missed final yr’s parade as a result of a detailed buddy was getting married. He did not miss Sunday.
“The one factor I’ve heard all day is how that is the very best parade that is ever been had in South Florida,” Reinhart mentioned. “Thank God I missed final yr and never this yr.”
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky thanked the group, and mentioned 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 mentioned.
