Panthers celebrate Stanley Cup win with beachfront parade
The Florida Panthers celebrated their second straight Stanley Cup victory with a week-long party across South Florida, culminating with a beach-front parade Sunday in Fort Lauderdale.
Why it matters: South Florida has been wrapped up in hockey hysteria since last season when the Panthers delivered the Miami area its first championship since 2013.
Catch up quick: The Panthers' booze-fueled celebration took the team around some of the area's top party spots, including Fort Lauderdale bar Elbo Room and Miami strip club E11EVEN.
Much of the debauchery — including Panthers center Sam Reinhart's stripper-pole stunt — was documented at length on social media.
The latest: Sunday's parade took place along A1A, as fans gathered to watch the team's red double-decker buses head down the beachfront strip.
Along the route, players hopped off the bus to bring the Stanley Cup closer to the fans, even dumping beer from the trophy into their mouths.
The team held a victory rally on the beach near Fort Lauderdale Beach Park.
What they're saying: Panthers center Brad Marchand, who was acquired from the Boston Bruins in March, told fans he was happy he didn't have to play against the Panthers anymore.
"I never could have imagined being part of something so special."
Stanley Cup Playoff MVP Sam Bennett, who's seeking a contract extension with the team, took an expletive-laced shot at critics upset about the Panthers' physical play.
"They call us dirty, they call us nasty. They call us bullies. I would like to take this time to apologize to absolutely f***ing no one, we're the double champs. We do what the f*** we want. Let's go."
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