Marchand, Bennett too hot for Oilers to handle in Game 5 of Stanley Cup final
EDMONTON - Driving the Florida Panthers attack in the playoffs is a player in his NHL prime and another acting like he is.
Sam Bennett, 28, and Brad Marchand, 37, continued to be a lot for the Oilers to handle in the Stanley Cup final in Florida's 5-2 win over Edmonton on Saturday to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
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CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Marchand, Bennett push Panthers past Oilers 5-2 to take 3-2 lead in Stanley Cup final
Florida Panthers' Brad Marchand (63) scores a goal on Edmonton Oilers goalie Calvin Pickard (30) during the first period in Game 5 of the NHL Stanley Cup final in Edmonton, Saturday, June 14, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson Connor McDavid had Sergei Bobrovsky at his mercy. Edmonton's superstar captain chipped a rebound from the side of the net toward Florida's off-balance goaltender that somehow stayed out as part of Saturday's early surge. The Panthers, as they have so often over the last three springs, steadied themselves and pushed back. Now the Oilers sit in a familiar spot — facing elimination in the Stanley Cup final. Brad Marchand scored twice to give him a series-leading six goals and Sam Bennett buried his NHL playoff-leading 15th as Florida defeated Edmonton 5-2 to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven matchup. 🗣️ HEY PANTHERS FANS 🗣️ We want to see your reactions to Brad Marchand's game-winning goal that has you one step away from another #StanleyCup! Send 'em here ➡️ — NHL (@NHL) June 15, 2025 'Chasing the game over and over against a team like this, it's very difficult,' said Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, whose group has been outscored 11-4 through five first periods after falling behind 2-0 early Saturday. 'They took advantage of some opportunities. At the end of the day, we didn't and it ends up being a difference.' Sam Reinhart and Eetu Luostarinen, into the empty net to go along with an assist, had the other goals for the defending champs. Bobrovsky made 19 saves for the Panthers, who can clinch a second straight Cup win over the Oilers after falling to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 when the series shifts back to Sunrise, Fla., for Game 6 on Tuesday. 'It's a great opportunity,' Bennett said. 'We're not going to get ahead of ourselves. It's going to be the hardest game. We know that. The job's not done yet. A lot more work to do.' Game 7, if necessary, would be back in Edmonton on Friday. Bennett and Marchand are the first players since 1981 with at least five goals each in the same final, and the first teammates to do so since 1973. 'We're just enjoying the moment,' Marchand said. 'It's a special time, special memories we're gonna have forever.' The 37-year-old is also the first player to register six goals in a final since 1988. 'When you need guys to step up, time and time again he's there to produce,' Reinhart said. McDavid and Corey Perry replied for the Oilers. Calvin Pickard stopped 14 shots. McDavid and fellow star centre Leon Draisaitl were not made available to reporters post-game. 'We've come out flat now most of the series … it's a mindset,' Edmonton defenceman Mattias Ekholm said. 'They're a good team for a reason. They've come out and showed that early in the games and we have to find a way to be better at the start.' The Oilers don't have much time. 'We're a team that can find a way to come back,' Nugent-Hopkins said. 'But it's not always going to happen.' Edmonton trailed Florida 3-0 in last year's final only to battle back with three straight victories to force a winner-take-all finale the club lost 2-1. McDavid had that early chance and another decent look inside an electric Rogers Place — the raucous, well-lubricated weekend crowd hit 113.4 decibels when the home side touched the ice ahead of puck drop — before the Panthers pounced. Marchand was quickest off a faceoff at centre and then blew past Ekholm before firing his ninth of the playoffs off the post and in at 9:12. The trade deadline acquisition from the Boston Bruins now has 12 goals in his four appearances in the final to become the seventh player in the post-expansion era to reach that number. He's also the second player since 1967-68 to have at least five goals in multiple finals after scoring that many in 2011 with the Boston Bruins to join Mario Lemieux (1991 and 1992). The Oilers went to the power play later in the period, but a disjointed and timid sequence resulted in little zone time and no shots on Bobrovsky. Florida doubled its lead moments later when Bennett fired past Pickard, who got the start ahead of Stuart Skinner following his 23-save performance off the bench in Edmonton's dramatic 5-4 overtime victory in Game 4, after Matthew Tkachuk's initial shot was blocked at 18:06. Bennett is the fourth active player to have at least 15 goals in a single playoff, joining Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby and injured Oilers forward Zach Hyman. 'There's a connectedness you feel as a group,' Edmonton blueliner Darnell Nurse said. 'We've had it for moments over the course of this series, but it wasn't there tonight.' Edmonton went back to the man advantage in the second period, but Bobrovsky denied both Nugent-Hopkins and Perry before McDavid hit the post. Marchand made it 3-0 at 5:12 of the third when he undressed Edmonton defenceman Jack Walman and slid home his 10th past Pickard. McDavid gave the home side some life at 7:24 with a shake-and-back move on Bobrovsky for his seventh of the playoffs and first of the final. But Reinhart put things to bed 46 seconds later when he snapped home his seventh. Perry nabbed a consolation goal with 3:13 left in regulation and Pickard on the bench for an extra attacker in an Edmonton push that came far too late before Luostarinen iced it into the empty net to push the Oilers to the brink — and another heartbreaking end. 'We've got to win one game,' Nurse said. 'That's all you can control. You don't look at it any other way. We've got to go to Florida, bring our best effort. 'And try to win one game.' --Joshua Clipperton This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 14, 2025.
The Province
7 hours ago
- The Province
Player grades: Florida Panthers dead puck Edmonton Oilers to death in 5-2 win
Mattias Ekholm (14) of the Edmonton Oilers checks Aleksander Barkov (16) of the Florida Panthers in game six of the Stanley Cup final in Edmonton on June 14, 2025. Photos by Shaughn Butts-Postmedia Photo by Shaughn Butts / 10108326A1 After four high-flying games in the Stanley Cup Final, the Florida Panthers played their best smothering, dead puck game, throttling the Edmonton Oilers at most every turn in a 5-2 win. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors It was the lowest event hockey game of the year for Edmonton, hardly any Grade A shots at all. As strong a defensive performance as the Oilers have faced all year and when they did get a chance, Sergei Bobrovsky was usually there. One big difference in the game? A few major errors by a player who rarely makes them, Mattias Ekholm. He made two mistakes on goals against at even strength in the first period after only make one such mistake on a goal against in his first five playoff games of 2025. In total the Oilers had nine Grade A shots to seven for the Panthers, with the subset of more dangerous 5-alarm shots six for Florida, just four for Edmonton. Connor McDavid, 6. He kept coming but Florida kept stopping him. Early 2-on-1 but unable to get off a shot on net. Knocked down a puck in the corner to send in Brown, almost scoring off his rebound. Solid stick-check late in the first to thwart a dangerous moment. Great hustle to keep puck in, then fired shot off post on second period power play. Magnificient deke shot to break Bobrovsky's shup-out. But a moment later he allowed the pass out on the fourth Panthers goal. Contributions/mistakes on Grade A Shots (GAS): Even Strength +3/-1; Special Teams +1/-0 Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 7. Best Oilers forward. Hustling hard, just as he has throughout playoffs. Major clearance late in first on PK after Bouchard broke his stick. Put a deflected shot that Perry almost jammed home on Edmonton's early second period power play. He put one off the post with the Oilers goalie pulled. Screened the goalie on Edmonton's late goal. GAS: ES +2/-0; ST +1/-0. Connor Brown, 6. Another hustling player. Charged up ice early on for a break-in but fired it into Bob's glove, then made heads up pass to send in McD and RNH on a 2-on-1. GAS: ES +2/-0; ST +0/-0. Leon Draisaitl, 3. Is he, at last, out of gas? He wasn't close to good enough. After a lacklustre first period, he missed the net on a powerplay one-timer early in the second. He took an undisciplined slashing call late in the second, a full grade demerit at this point. He came alive finally when the Oilers pulled their goalie and was finally in on two Grade A shots, but too little, too late. GAS: ES +2/-1; ST +0/-0. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Vasily Podkolzin, 3. Usual hitting and hustle except on one key play. He failed to block the sneaky Marchand on a centre ice face-off and Marchand went in and scored. He led the team with seven hits. GAS: ES +0/-1; ST +0/-0. Corey Perry, 5. Almost put on his Socey Perry cape, nearly jammed home an early slot chance in the second, but Bob got his glove on it. He lost a faceoff battle to Marchand on the third Florida goal. Scored on an outside shot late in the game. Lost the puck and screened goalie on Florida's fourth. GAS: ES +2/2; ST +2/-0. Adam Henrique, 5. Solid again on defence. Tipped a Grade A on net. But just five wins on 17 face-offs. GAS: ES +1/-0; ST +0/-0. Trent Frederic, 3. Hmm. Failed to make an impact. Might be time to sit him, bring in Kapanen, GAS: ES +0/-0; ST +0/-0. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Jeff Skinner, 5. Another Oiler with a bit of life, at least. He whipped on outside shot on net in the second that Henrique tipped for a Grade A shot. GAS: ES +1/-0; ST +0/-0. Mattias Janmark, 3. Some good work but marred by a critical error. He was caught puck-watching on the second Florida goal, allowing his man Bennett to rifle in a goal. GAS: ES +0/-1; ST +0/-0. Evander Kane, 4. Charged hard at the net and drew a tripping call early in the second. Needs to bring more. GAS: ES +0/-0; ST +0/-0. Viktor Arvidsson, 4. Beat out a key icing call in the second. But making an enough of an impact, just like most Oilers forwards. GAS: ES +0/-0; ST +0/-0. Evan Bouchard, 5. Not his best game. Turnover early in second, then blocked shot to clean up own mistake. Part of a power play that failed to score. He got caught flat-footed on the third Panthers goal. Brilliant pass to set up McDavid's 3-1 goal. GAS: ES +2/-2; ST +0/-0. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Brett Kulak, 6. Early battle won kicked off Brown's break-in. Quiet game otherwise, which is good for a d-man. GAS: ES +1/-0; ST +0/-1. Jake Walman, 4. Battled hard, solid on defence until he got deked out by Marchand on the. third Florida goal. GAS: ES +0/-0; ST +0/-0. Mattias Ekholm, 2. He went right and Marchand deked left at the Oil's blueline, kicking off the rapid Sequence of Pain on Marchand's breakaway goal. Another major msitake on the second Florida goal, failing to dump the puck in deep, kicking off the goal rush. Excellent hustle play on McDavid's goal, winning a battle in the o-zone. But screened his goalie on the fourth goal. GAS: ES +1/-4; ST +0/-0. Troy Stecher, 4. Looked nervous early on, iced the puck, but cleared it off face-off. Allowed pass on Reinhart's 5-alarmer. Calmed down in the second. OK in 13:33 but Oilers need more on attack, should play Klingberg next game. GAS: ES +0/-1; ST +0/-0. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Darnell Nurse, 4. Failed to make read and allowed Reinhart's nasty first period slot shot. Was otherwise solid. GAS: ES +0/-1; ST +0/-0. Calvin Pickard, 3. Just could not come up with a save when it was needed. A save certainly would have been great on Marchand's first period breakaway. Not to be. But thwarted Reinhart's wide-open 5-alarmer. Little chance on Bennett's goal, but only one save on three Grade A shots in the first period. Hardly any action in the second, but one big save on Bennett. Beat yet again on Marchand's break-in, three goals on just six Grade A shots just then. Screened on the fourth goal, but four goals on seven Grade A shots at that point. At the Cult of Hockey STAPLES: 'Pure garbage': Panthers fanbase rants about Skinner hold, say it proves refs biased against Florida STAPLES 'Oh God, that hurt': Toronto Maple Leafs insider can't bring himself to celebrate Oilers OT win Staples: 'Not the ref's fault': Florida Panthers country reacts to historic Stanley Cup Final collapse in Game 4 LEAVINS: Game grades in historic Oilers win Vancouver Canucks Sports Vancouver Canucks News Hockey
CBC
9 hours ago
- CBC
From sippy cups to Stanley Cups, these First Nations fathers share the love of their children
Social Sharing Father's Day is an opportunity to honour the love and leadership that so many of our fathers, step dads, and guardians have given us in our lives. For others, it is a complicated day that can be experienced many different ways. CBC Indigenous spoke with three dads about the beauty and the hardships of fatherhood. Former Stanley Cup champion Reggie Leach, known as the Riverton Rifle, was famed for his play during his NHL career from 1970-83, and for his time with the Philadelphia Flyers during the "Broad Street Bullies" era. He's a father of two and said his greatest joys were the day his children were born and the day his son won the Stanley Cup. "I think that's the thing with our kids, you let them do what they enjoy. Cherish all the moments that you have," he said. Now Leach, 75, is a coach at the Shoot to Score hockey camps and his current boss, his son Jamie Leach, joined him on the call. Jamie, 55, is no stranger to hoisting the Stanley Cup either, winning in 1992 with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Leaches are members of Berens River First Nation in Manitoba and are the first and only First Nations father and son pair to win the Stanley Cup as players. Speaking of his own son, Jamie agreed with his dad about cherishing moments. "The more and more that you get to witness — graduating high school, getting his licence, making some hockey teams that he wanted to make — it's just so nice to be a part of." What kind of fatherly advice does a Stanley Cup champion share to a fellow Stanley Cup champion? Jamie Leach shared the ice with names like Lemieux, Gretzky, and Messier, but nothing compares to the emotion that comes when he shares lessons that he learned from his dad. "He always told me whatever you do in your life, you shoot to score," said Jamie. "If you're going to do something, do the best you possibly can. You shoot to score." "Now he passes that onto his son," Reggie said with pride. Resilience But what if hockey stardom wasn't your destiny, how does a regular dad get by doing his best? Charles Bird, 48, is a father of two and grandfather of one from Black River First Nation in Manitoba. A child of residential school survivors, Bird has put a life together that his children are proud of. Bird has had sole custody of his children since 2009. His son has special needs and his daughter is studying Indigenous language at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. It wasn't the challenges that this generation presented that Bird worried about. His father struggled in the face of trauma and addiction that residential schools brought on. A promise between father and son led to Bird making better decisions. "He told me, 'Son, live a better life for yourself. Make better choices. Don't fall into addictions and don't let them overcome you," said an emotional Bird. "You can be better than that, and you will be, because I believe in you." A promise that Bird said he has held for his father to this day. The celebration of his grandson's arrival and graduating alongside his son are two events that Bird was elated to share. His son Thurston graduated from high school the same year that Bird upgraded his education through the school division's adult education department, so they were able to walk the stage together. Fatherly advice As for some advice from the dads to other dads: Reggie Leach:"Listen to your kids, listen to what they have to say to you." Jamie Leach:"Foster a relationship with your children where they can come to you with anything."
