Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov raised the Stanley Cup — the first Finnish captain to do so — and passed it to goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.
And on it went, the crowd cheering each player, each coach, each assistant, the entire management team until the team picture at centre ice.
It was all smiles, all sweat, some tears.
The National Hockey League Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup champions on Monday night, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in Game 7 of the finals. Fans in Hialeah celebrated, waving flags in the street, honking car horns and banging pots with spoons. (AP Video / June 25, 2024)
“I just can’t believe what’s going on, to be honest,” Barkov told the cameras on the ice at Amerant Bank Arena. “It’s nuts. It’s incredible to see how hard everyone worked. And now, there’s no games tomorrow.
The Florida Panthers celebrate their 2-1 victory against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7.
Elsa/Getty Images“It’s unbelievable for sure.”
Believe it. The Florida Panthers, a franchise born 30 years ago and frequently the object of derision, are champions.
A second-period goal by Sam Reinhart stood as the difference in Florida’s 2-1 win Monday night as the Edmonton Oilers ran out of magic.
“Can’t get the words out,” said Florida defenceman Aaron Ekblad. “It’s incredible. It’s amazing. It’s the best feeling in my life so far. Nothing tops it.
“It’s your worst nightmare when you lose Game 6. We’ve got some great leadership in the room and we turned it around.
“The journey has been incredible, it’s insane. We did it.”
The crowd was its loudest when affable and long-serving coach Paul Maurice raised the Cup.
“It’s brilliant,” said Maurice. “I’ve never hugged so many sweaty men in my life. I’m not sure I’ll ever do it again. But I’m going to do it tonight.
“It’s not what I thought it would be. It’s better. It’s the hugs. I saw Sam Bennett smile today for the first time in two years.”
He mouthed “yes” as he held the Cup up.
Earlier, he told “Hockey Night in Canada” the win was for his family.
“Mom and Dad especially. Hey Dad, your name is going to go up with your heroes. Beliveau, Richard, Howe, Lindsay, Maurice.”
Edmonton Oilers fans didn't see the result they wanted as their team lost to the Florida Panthers by a score of 2-1 in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final. Ahead of the game, enthusiastic fans overwhelmed streets in the Alberta capital. (Jun. 24, 2024 / The Canadian Press)
Oilers disappointed
While Panthers fans were delirious with delight, the disappointment was evident on the faces of Connor McDavid and the Oilers, who were trying to become the first team since the 1942 Maple Leafs to win the Stanley Cup in a best-of-seven series after losing the first three games.
The Oilers react as time runs out in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Elsa/Getty Images“We went through a lot,” McDavid told reporters afterwards. “Came that close. Proud of the way we fought all year. Behind the 8-ball almost immediately. We fought an uphill climb for months and months and months. Just … sucks.”
McDavid came away with a consolation prize of sorts, named the Conn Smythe winner as the most valuable player in the playoffs with 42 points, beating Wayne Gretzky’s record for most assists in a single post-season. He’s first player from the losing team to win it since 2003 when Ducks goalie Jean-Sébastien Giguère won it despite New Jersey winning the Cup.
Oilers captain Connor McDavid was given the Conn Smythe for playoff MVP, despite his team losing in the final.
Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images“It’s an honour with the names on that trophy,” he said.
The disappointment of the Oilers was shared by all Canadians. A Canadian team hasn’t won the Stanley Cup since Montreal in 1993.
The Florida Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final. Connor McDavid was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player. McDavid says he's proud of his team despite the loss. (June 25, 2024 / The Canadian Press)
The Oilers took a most unusual road to the Cup final, indeed to the playoffs themselves.
They were 2-9-1 in November, second last in the NHL. A coaching changed helped, Kris Knoblauch coming in. The rise of goalie Stuart Skinner, replacing minors-bound Jack Campbell, helped. A 16-game winning streak and a pair of eight-game winning streaks returned the team to its Stanley Cup contender status.
“We showed year long that we could fight back, even in the most dire situations,” said McDavid. “Tough to be down three and tough to string four in a row against a good team like that, but we were right there … right there.”
Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe scores the first goal of the game on Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner during the first period of Game 7.
Nathan Denette/THE CANADIAN PRESSʴǾԲԳdzԳٲ
There were a lot of feel-good moments among the Panthers, like veterans Kyle Okposo (1,051 games played) and Oliver Ekman-Larsson (982 games) getting their moment with the Cup.
“It means a lot,” said Okposo. “I tried to help with my experience. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
Then there was Maurice hoisting the Cup 10,457 days after making his league debut on Nov. 7, 1995 behind the bench of the Hartford Whalers (now Carolina Hurricanes).
“If I could have one thing more, it’s for the Winnipeg Jets to win the Stanley Cup,” said Maurice.
But the best moment might have belonged to the Tkachuk family, with Matthew raising the Cup and looking in the direction of his father Keith, and brother Brady, a forward with the Ottawa Senators. Brady appeared to be crying tears of joy for his brother.
“I’m thinking of my family,” said Matthew. “I know my brother is going to do this very soon.”
Then the former Flame did a “shoutout” to his fans in Calgary: “You knew I couldn’t let Edmonton win.”
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