🏒 History in the making! The Florida Panthers have clinched their first-ever Stanley Cup, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in a nail-biting final on Monday. The victory keeps Canada's 31-year title drought ongoing. 🇺🇸
Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart were the heroes of the night, sealing a 4-3 series victory for the Panthers. The Oilers had made a stunning comeback from 3-0 down in the series to force an epic game seven, but Florida was not about to let this one slip away. 😤
Edmonton was on a mission to be the first Canadian team since the Montreal Canadiens in 1993 to hoist the Stanley Cup. They also aimed to become only the second team in NHL history to overturn a 3-0 deficit to win it all. Talk about high stakes! 🎯
But the Panthers, who tasted defeat in last year's final against Las Vegas, came out roaring in front of their home crowd at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise. Just 4 minutes and 27 seconds into the game, Evan Rodrigues fired a shot from the left wing, and Verhaeghe tipped it past Oilers' goalie Stuart Skinner to light up the scoreboard. 🔥
The Oilers weren't going down without a fight. Cody Ceci launched a perfect long pass that split the Panthers' defense. Mattias Janmark scooped it up and gracefully slid the puck past Florida's star goalie, Sergei Bobrovsky, leveling the game and silencing the crowd. 🤫
The second period was a rollercoaster! 🎢 Dmitry Kulikov made a clutch save on the goal line to deny the Oilers, and in a swift counterattack, Reinhart blasted a long-range shot that beat Skinner, putting the Panthers back on top. 💥
Florida nearly extended their lead when Sam Bennett was thwarted by an incredible save from Skinner. The tension was off the charts as Edmonton threw everything they had at the Panthers in the final period. But some heroic defending kept the Oilers at bay, and the Panthers held on for a historic win! 🥳
This victory is a huge moment not just for Florida fans but for the entire NHL community as the Panthers finally lift the Stanley Cup after years of hard work and determination. Congratulations, Panthers! You've just written a new chapter in hockey history. 📖✨
Reference(s):
Florida Panthers beat Edmonton Oilers 2-1 to win Stanley Cup Final
cgtn.com
