Aleksander Barkov grasped the ends of the Stanley Cup and began his victory skate, fulfilling the Florida Panthers’ long-awaited dream.
As he raised the cup for the first time, one thought crossed his mind, “It’s heavy,” he remarked.
The 37-pound trophy was no match for him, just as the three-game slide didn’t deter the Panthers. There was no faltering with the Cup in hand, no collapse when it mattered most. The Panthers clinched their first championship after enduring a challenging journey to the title.
Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe scored crucial goals, while Sergei Bobrovsky made 23 saves as the Panthers triumphed over the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. This victory marked the third appearance in the title round for Florida in its 30-year history; having been swept in 1996 by Colorado and dominated 4-1 by Vegas in the previous season. However, that defeat spurred the team to greater heights.
“You have to overcome challenges to understand what it takes to succeed,” forward Matthew Tkachuk stated.
This time, they emerged victorious, avoiding what could have been a historic collapse. After winning the first three games, then losing the subsequent three, the Panthers needed a win in Game 7 to prevent joining the 1942 Detroit Red Wings as the only team to lose the final after leading 3-0.
“It’s exceeded my expectations,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice expressed. “It’s truly remarkable.”
It was a hard-fought battle, but they prevailed.
Barkov passed the Cup to Bobrovsky, sparking the celebration. They withstood the pressure until the very end, denying Connor McDavid his first title and Edmonton its first Cup since 1990.
“Becoming a champion and winning is the ultimate goal,” stated Bobrovsky, winning his first championship at 35. “But at the core, it’s the love for the game that drives you.”
McDavid was awarded the Conn Smythe as the playoffs MVP but was clearly disheartened. The Cup is the ultimate prize, and it was the Panthers who lifted it.
“No player desires the Stanley Cup more than him,” Oilers teammate Leon Draisaitl remarked about McDavid, who amassed an impressive 42 points in the postseason. “He’s dedicated every single day to his craft.”
However, on that fateful Monday, the Panthers outperformed all expectations.
“It’s not a dream anymore. It’s not a dream. It’s reality,” Tkachuk, who was traded to Florida two years prior, said elatedly. “I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it…. I can’t believe how good these two years have been. So thankful for this group of guys. It’s the best place, best guys. It’s something really special here with what we have.”
Mattias Janmark scored for Edmonton, and Stuart Skinner made 19 saves for the Oilers. Despite their best efforts, Canada’s Cup drought continued, dating back to 1993 when the Montreal Canadiens were victorious.
South Florida now boasts titles from all four major professional sports leagues in the U.S. The Miami Dolphins have won twice, the then-Florida Marlins twice, the Miami Heat thrice, and now the Panthers have joined the elite group.
Welcome, Stanley. The Panthers have long awaited this moment. Maurice lifted the Cup by the bench, suppressing his emotions, while general manager Bill Zito let out a triumphant yell. Tkachuk’s family, especially his father Keith, revelled in the experience, aware that their family name will soon be engraved on Lord Stanley.
“This victory is for them,” Tkachuk declared.
Even in the tensest moments, Bobrovsky remained composed. When Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard had an opportunity late in the second period, Bobrovsky made a crucial save, exemplifying his poise under pressure.
Florida had dominated the series with a 3-0 lead, only to be outscored 18-5 in the following three games. Nevertheless, they rallied back in Game 7, preventing a historic collapse that would have mirrored Toronto’s feat against Detroit in 1942. They persevered against all odds.
“It’s not what I thought it would be,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “It’s so much better.”
Despite the rollercoaster ride, they emerged victorious in the end.
Together, they proudly lifted the cherished Cup in celebration of their hard-earned triumph.
