One Panthers fan didn’t mince words.
During the Panthers’ Stanley Cup parade on Sunday, a reporter from WPLG 10 News Miami was walking near some fans when a woman waved at her, trying to get her to speak on the microphone.
Reporter Alexis Frazier responded.
And the fan was unloaded.
“Let’s just say Matthew Tkachuk is the best player,” the woman yelled into the microphone, only for Frazier to quickly snatch it away.
“Oh, I get it,” Frasier responded. “This is live. No need to swear on live TV, ma’am. … She really had something to say, and we’re going to have to monitor that from now on.”
Warning: swearing
The downpour literally rained on the Panthers’ parade, but it didn’t stop the team from having a raucous celebration.
Captain Aleksandr Barkov was spotted “shoeing” – drinking beer from a shoe.
“Words can’t describe it,” Barkov said.
Flood warnings were issued for the area and thunderstorms left participants and spectators soaked.
The Panthers won the Stanley Cup in seven games after surviving a 3-0 deficit to narrow it to 3-3, the first time such an accomplishment in franchise history.
Fans have been waiting for this celebration for 30 seasons.
At this moment, the rain never stopped.
“It feels like everything I’ve worked for in life, everything I’ve done, has come to fruition,” defenseman Aaron Ekblad said. “When you hold the trophy over your head, it’s an amazing feeling, and it’s the pinnacle of hockey. It’s everything you could ever imagine.”
Panthers owner Vincent Viola danced onstage, his wife Teresa filming the moment on her cell phone.
Along the way, Tkachuk veered off the bus route to visit his favorite bar, the Elbo Room, which happened to be next to the bus route.
One by one, the players had their moment to hoist the cup on stage.
Some players wore “Maurice Zito 2024” campaign T-shirts, paying tribute to head coach Paul Maurice and director of hockey operations Bill Zito, who led the team to the Cup.
“It’s unbelievable,” goalkeeper Sergei Bobrovsky said, “I never expected so many people to come out to support us. It’s surreal to be able to share this moment with all our fans.”
— The Associated Press
