Panthers hoist title banner as Cup defense begins

There is some truth in what was once an old wives tale: that of “Down With The Queen and All His Clues!” However, more recently we have witnessed that with time comes wisdom; which in this instance manifests in terms of greater peace for those left standing after a falling away of those less well off than themselves. Aleksander Barkov ended last season by hoisting the Stanley Cup high above Sunrise, Florida fans’ heads — much to their jubilation and delight. On Tuesday night – just moments before Florida hoisted its inaugural championship banner into place — Barkov skated the Cup onto the ice himself to kick-start this one too – before all players joined arms as they gazed upon its memorabilia adorning this newly designated hall-of-memories building. After their banner had completed its 2-minute flight into the air, it was finally time for their 2017-2018 campaign against Boston Bruins to commence with an exhibition game at Home Ice in Jacksonville. “Now it is our time,” Barkov declared. Editor’s Picks2 RelatedThey hosted Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final before warmups began on giant video screens over the ice, fans cheering when Sam Reinhart scored the go-ahead goal and more loudly when final seconds showed on video boards over the ice before finally hearing an ovation when their banner was finally placed into place in the rafters of their arena.The pregame ceremony marked 3 1/2 months of celebrating their franchise’s first championship title! Monday brought with it an intimate ceremony where players, coaches and staff received championship rings; on Tuesday they watched proudly when the banner was raised to the skies above. Panthers season ticket holders known as legacy members who have had tickets since its inaugural year also receive replica rings as commemoratives. “Our fans will definitely love seeing it up!” stated Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe who scored Florida’s opening goal during Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, helping Florida defeat Edmonton 2-1 and claim its crown on June 24. “Looking up there, when we need some additional encouragement we just look up there to see all we’ve accomplished. “For their championship banner, the Panthers selected one with a white background and red text reading: “Stanley Cup Champions 2024″. Additionally, an image of the Cup can be seen centered above their logo.” Florida kept their puck pinned along the boards as the final seconds of Game 7 ended, starting a celebration 30 years in the making. Panthers players stand together before raising the Stanley Cup championship banner before their match up with Bruins Tuesday in Sunrise. Banners commemorating Florida’s Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference championships from last season had already made it up into the rafters, along with two conference title banners from this season, three division championship banners and an award for winning the Presidents’ Trophy as regular-season team in 2021-22. It had been an especially joyous summer as Florida’s Cup made stops around their homelands so players could share it with family, friends and loved ones back home. Starting off with an estimated crowd of 300,000 braving thunder and lightning and downpour for an anticipated parade featuring the Cup, it made numerous stops throughout South Florida and further. While all this fun may have been had during recent weeks, Panthers general manager and hockey operations president Bill Zito acknowledged it is time to look toward another season — something he believes players started doing even prior to training camp starting! “At least for myself,” Zito noted, “I already feel at peace.” She revealed her excitement of attending her first NHL game tonight as she experienced “one of those surreal moments… when she opened up her box. Our staff described me as speechless – but she left speechless indeed! “The banner hoisting was preceded by an exciting highlight video recapping last season’s journey to championship, while as expected the Cup made another appearance onto the ice before going up on display.” Zito noted how excited she is after last night. However, “it is our job, after all. So tonight is an important game and that should be our primary focus. “