The Stanley Cup returned to Florida with the Panthers winning a thrilling Game 7 against the Edmonton Oilers, 2-1, on Monday night.
The team wasted no time, parading the Road Stanley Cup around South Florida, and less than 24 hours after beating Edmonton, Matthew Tkachuk, Aaron Ekblad and many others were spotted celebrating the win in Fort Lauderdale.
It’s summer in Florida, so what better way to celebrate than to grab a cup and head to the beach?
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Panthers player Matthew Tkachuk celebrates with the Stanley Cup after their 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final at AmerantBank Arena on June 24, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Surrounded by teammates and fans, Tkachuk carried the Cup across the street to the beach and took it into the Atlantic Ocean.
This is the first trophy in Panthers franchise history, so think of it as a sort of Cup baptism.
As waves crashed in from the ocean, Tkachuk, Ekblad and others raised the Cup over their heads and exchanged the customary kiss, and Panthers fans cheered.
Panthers defeat Oilers in Game 7 to win the Stanley Cup
Tkachuk told ESPN’s Emily Kaplan after the win that winning the Cup is no longer a dream but a reality, and the Panthers had a tough two years before winning their first trophy since the franchise was founded, losing in five games to the Vegas Golden Knights in last season’s finals.
So this celebration is the culmination of a huge amount of work, and the Panthers are clearly relaxing now that their names will be forever engraved in precious metal.
Panthers players share champagne after a win against the Edmonton Oilers at AmerantBank Arena on June 24, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Elliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)
Through the Panthers’ 24 playoff games, Tkachuk recorded 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) in Florida’s win.
He was drafted sixth overall by the Calgary Flames in 2016 and spent six seasons with the team before being traded to the Panthers last season.
Tkachuk is set to record 109 points in 2023, after posting 88 points last season, but any Panthers fan knows the important role he plays as the left wing for this hockey club.
Florida Panthers’ Matthew Tkachuk hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena on June 24, 2024. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
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For Tkachuk and the rest of his Florida teammates, the celebration is just beginning, as they plan to hold a team parade on Sunday.
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