Latest news with #Mikkola
Miami Herald
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Chirps, rats and ice cream: How the Panthers are staying loose during postseason run
During a moment on the bench in Game 7 of the Florida Panthers' second-round Stanley Cup playoffs series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Sam Bennett and Carter Verhaeghe were caught in conversation. 'Oh, that feels [expletive] good, eh bud?' Bennett said to Verhaeghe. 'We get to keep on playing hockey,' Verhaeghe replied. 'I wasn't ready to stop playing hockey to be honest with you,' Bennett followed. 'I've got at least another month in me.' That same day, on that same bench, Matthew Tkachuk at one point turned to Sam Reinhart and Evan Rodrigues. 'Isn't this the [expletive] best?' the star winger said. 'Enjoy it, baby! Enjoy it!' The Panthers blew out the Maple Leafs that night 6-1 to advance to the Eastern Conference final. They are now are in the Stanley Cup Final for a third consecutive year and chasing a second consecutive championship. But even as the stage gets bigger, this Panthers team has managed to stay loose and free, much like those conversations on the bench from Game 7 in Toronto when their season was possibly on the brink of ending. There's pressure in these situations, of course, and those pressures get magnified as the postseason extends further and further. But why let that change things? The Panthers aren't. 'It's just who we are,' Bennett said. 'We don't change the way we prepare for games, from regular season games to playoff games to Game 7 games. We're always joking around. Even before Game 7, there were just as many chirps and jokes going around before that game as preseason game. I think it's just the way our team prepares and it seems to work for us. Yeah, we enjoy this.' That's evident by how this team goes about its business. Staying loose on the bench There are the conversations on the bench. Chirps fly constantly. Conversation is usually light and friendly — when it can be understood. Several players have joked that they sometimes can't understand Finnish defenseman Niko Mikkola when he returns to the bench after finishing a shift. When it was brought to Mikkola's attention earlier in this playoff run that teammate and Sweden native Gustav Forsling said as much, Mikkola turned to Forsling, who was grinning from ear to ear, with bugged out eyes and a smirk that sent a message without any words being said. Naturally, Mikkola had some joking (we think?) words to say. 'I've been trying to learn some Swedish also so maybe next year we can have a better connection,' Mikkola said. Marchand and the rats There's the postgame celebration with one of the newcomers, an enemy turned friend. There was so much talk when Brad Marchand joined the Panthers at the trade deadline about how the dynamic would work with him on the team. Florida had intense playoff battles with him for the past two years when he was on the Boston Bruins — plus there was the whole Bennett-punching-him-thing in Round 2 last season. 'He's got a good right hook,' Marchand says now with a laugh. But Marchand has fit in seamlessly as a veteran on this already veteran-laden group. So much so that he's now the center of Florida's primary on-ice celebration that ties him into a big part of the team's past. Marchand, affectionately or otherwise (depending on who you ask), has been referred to as a 'rat' over the course of his 16-season NHL career. Panthers fans after wins throw plastic or rubber rats on the ice — an homage to the 'Year of the Rat' season in 1995-96, lore that stems from Scott Mellanby killing a rat in the team's dressing room. So why not combine the two? After Florida's first win with Marchand in a game, on March 28 against Utah, Rodrigues (who has known Marchand and skated with him during the offseason in Boston for close to a decade) decided to fire off one of those rubber rats at Marchand. 'They just see all my family out there on the ice and want us to be together,' Marchand quipped. 'Rodrigues started it. One happened to be right there one time. He shot it at me and then it just kind of kept going. Barky jumped in and Chucky jumped in. Those are things that just kind of organically happen sometimes. We don't overthink it. ... Just a small sample size of one of the things that allows us to have some fun together.' Panthers coach Paul Maurice got to experience the celebration first-hand for the first time after Florida's Game 2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes as he was walking to the team's dressing room, which is on the opposite end of the ice from the team benches. 'It's funny as hell,' Maurice said. 'Those are the really fun stories that are kind of organic. That's the players' time.' Dairy Queen And then there's how they spend their time on the road. A photo went viral in between Games 1 and 2 of the Eastern Conference final of a half-dozen Panthers players — Marchand, Verhaeghe, Mikkola, forward Eetu Luostarinen, and defensemen Uvis Balinskis and Jaycob Megna — on a Dairy Queen run in Raleigh. 'It's important when you have days off and you don't think about hockey too much and just live your normal life,' Mikkola said. That story took a life of its own as well after Marchand joked that he was eating a Dairy Queen Blizzard in the dressing room during the second intermission of Game 3 against the Hurricanes, right before the Panthers scored five goals. (Marchand would later reveal he was actually eating honey.) 'I love a good Blizzard more than anybody,' Marchand said, 'but it's not something I've had in the middle of a game ... yet.' Good news for Marchand and the group: There are dozens of Dairy Queen locations in Edmonton.
Miami Herald
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Florida Panthers getting reinforcements for Game 5 of conference final vs Hurricanes
It appears as if the Florida Panthers will be at full strength on Wednesday night as they try to wrap up the Eastern Conference final and once again advance to the Stanley Cup Final. Panthers coach Paul Maurice said after the team's morning skate that wingers Sam Reinhart and A.J. Greer as well as defenseman Niko Mikkola are all expected to play in Game 5 against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Florida leads the best-of-7 series 3-1 and needs just one more win to reach the Stanley Cup Final for a third consecutive year. Reinhart has missed the past two games since sustaining a lower-body injury following a low hit from Carolina forward Sebastian Aho in the first period of Game 2. Mikkola and Greer left with undisclosed injuries in the third period of Game 3. 'They're all different kind of leaders,' Maurice said. 'Sam in the preparation and the mental part of the game. Niko's got an intensity that he brings to our room and to the bench and to the game that he plays. And A.J.'s a really fast, physical player so he brings that physicality leadership.' Their presence has been missed. Reinhart, one of three finalists for the Selke Trophy given annually to the NHL's top defensive forward, is integral in every phase of the Panthers' game. In addition to being on the top line with Aleksander Barkov and Evan Rodrigues and leading the team in goals (39) and points (81) during the regular season, he is on the top power-play unit and plays significant minutes on the penalty kill. He scored 13 power-play goals and five short-handed goals in the regular season. Florida's power play went 0 for 8 in the past two games with Reinhart out. 'Reinhart is a big part of our power play,' Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe said. 'He is a great player, and losing him kind of hurts.' Mikkola has been steady on Florida's second defense pair, primarily with Seth Jones when the team is at full strength. He set career highs in the regular season in goals (six), assists (16), points (22), plus-minus (plus-12), takeaways (15) and average ice time (20:12) while also laying out 137 hits and blocking 88 shots. He has five points (three goals, two assists) and is a plus-six this postseason. 'He's been great all year for sure, especially in the playoffs,' defenseman Gustav Forsling said. 'He's a huge part for us and he plays big minutes.' And Greer has been a steady fixture on Florida's fourth line all season. In addition to laying out a team-high 222 hits, the physical winger set career highs for assists (11) and points (17) while tying his career high in goals (six) during the regular season. He has three points (two goals, one assist) and 44 hits through 11 playoff games. With those three back in the lineup, their replacements — forwards Jesper Boqvist and Nico Sturm along with defenseman Uvis Balinskis — will be scratches on Wednesday. Winter Classic tickets Tickets to the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic outdoor game, hosted by the Florida Panthers at Miami's loanDepot park, will go on sale to the general public next week. Tickets will be sold on Ticketmaster starting at 10 a.m. June 4 on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. The Panthers will host the New York Rangers in the home of MLB's Miami Marlins, on Jan. 2, 2026. They said it 'We always have a ton of belief. It's our preparation that allows us to have that belief, but we've gotta go out there and execute it. We've gotta get back to our game. We have to be physical. We have to be fast. We can't be looking to break anything open. We'll earn our opportunities when they're there, but just be hard. We always prepare for that seventh game like we've said it for years. Tonight's no different, but there's a little extra energy in here tonight, coming on the road with a chance to win the conference championship. This is so as good as it gets.' - Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk on the mindset entering Game 5. 'We want to play the same way at home and on the road, but being on the road, I think things are simpler. We're trying to play a simple game. We know what to expect, that they're going to come out hard. ... The road just kind of simplifies it and let's explain a little bit.' - Verhaeghe on Florida's road success this postseason, with Florida 7-2 on the road in the playoffs entering Wednesday.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Panthers fall short without key contributors in the lineup
The Florida Panthers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Final (Credit: Getty Image) The Florida Panthers missed a prime opportunity to advance to the Stanley Cup Final after a 3-0 shutout loss in Game 4. They were without Sam Reinhart, Niko Mikkola, and A.J. Greer, all sidelined due to recent injuries. Their absence was felt both offensively and defensively as Florida couldn't generate consistent pressure. Carolina, facing elimination, played with urgency and structure. Florida, by contrast, lacked the sharpness seen in earlier games. Mikkola, who had scored twice in Game 3, and Reinhart, one of the team's top producers, left significant gaps. The result was a rare off-night in front of a home crowd hoping to celebrate a series win. Coach sees loss as a chance to grow and refocus NHL Game 3 Highlights | Hurricanes vs. Panthers - May 21, 2025 Rather than express frustration, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice framed the Game 4 loss as a valuable learning opportunity. His approach reinforces a no-excuses mindset within the locker room, as he emphasized the need for continued growth. He also credited the Hurricanes for executing a disciplined game. Maurice provided a note of optimism about the injured trio, and his statement, 'I would expect, hopefully at some point in this series, they'll be able to come back in and play.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tips for the Purchasing of Used Vehicles: latest competitive rates answerpedia Learn More Undo This suggests the team could soon regain a fuller lineup. While no timeline is set, the day-to-day status of Reinhart, Mikkola, and Greer keeps the door open for a return in Game 5 or beyond. Panthers regroup with eyes on Game 5 bounce-back The Florida Panthers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Final (Credit: Getty Image) The series shifts to Raleigh for Game 5, with Florida still holding a 3-1 lead. The focus now is on correcting mistakes, tightening execution, and bouncing back with renewed intensity. The Panthers know they need to be better, regardless of who's available. Read more: McDavid and Hyman lead Oilers past Stars Game 4 is now part of the learning curve, not the narrative. The team has shown resilience throughout the postseason, and that identity will be tested again in this next matchup. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Niko Mikkola breaks out to propel Florida Panthers toward another Stanley Cup Final
Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola has done so much in this deep playoff push for the team that it is now only a win away from a third consecutive Stanley Cup Final. In Game 3 against the Carolina Hurricanes, the towering 6-foot-6 blueliner wowed fans with his rare two-goal performance that led to a dominating 6-2 victory. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While his on-ice contributions are growing with respect to the team's success, Mikkola fosters energy, humor, and focus around a team that is again hungry for the championship. Niko Mikkola proves his worth on both ends of the ice with Seth Jones Along with Seth Jones on the Panthers' second defensive unit, Mikkola has injected muscle and mobility into Florida's blue line. Interestingly, his Game 3 outing in Carolina was only the second multi goal game of his career, the first coming earlier this season, highlighting his recent surge in offensive confidence. He now has five points in these playoffs, which is his career-best, reinforcing his standing as more than just a shutdown defender. An unrestricted free agent, Mikkola was acquired by Florida on July 1, 2023, arriving from the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers. Bill Zito, the general manager, had for some time admired Mikkola's killer work ethic, his lateral size, and team-first attitude. Nicknamed 'The Condor' because of his wingspan, he uses those wings to glide fast up the ice, usually ambushing his opponents with his pace and poise. The skating and hockey IQ of Mikkola has flourished in Florida's high-pressure, closing system. Head coach Paul Maurice called Mikkola's "straight-line speed" and instincts a mismatch and a perfect fit for their aggressive style. Mikkola showed his quick defense-to-offense transition and improvisational skills in his rush that led to the important goal in Game 1. Mikkola has also gained respect in the dressing room. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Brad Marchand admires his intensity and sense of humor; the captain, Aleksander Barkov, talks about him as being "great for us." Once an impenetrable opponent, Mikkola has now become one of Florida's most steadfast pieces in the championship chase. Also Read: Blackhawks to hire Jeff Blashill as head coach; Ryan Donato expected to hit free agency From an unknown free agent to a crucial playoff performer, Niko Mikkola's journey with the Florida Panthers perfectly embodies the recipe for the team win: size, speed, spirit, and freedom to grow.
Miami Herald
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Panthers provide Niko Mikkola update after third-period injury in Game 3 vs Carolina
The Florida Panthers hope they avoided the worst for Niko Mikkola. The second-pair defenseman, who has been stellar for the Panthers all throughout the postseason, left midway through the third period of Saturday's 6-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final after crashing into the boards shoulder first and in discomfort. Mikkola's last shift ended with 11:58 left in regulation. 'We think he's going to be OK,' Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. That, for now, provides a sigh of relief considering the value Mikkola has brought to the Panthers. In addition to being stellar defensively, the 29-year-old blueliner has shown some offensive pop as of late. He scored twice on Saturday for just his second career multi-goal game — regular season or playoffs — and has five points total through 15 games this postseason. He set single-season career highs in goals (six), assists (16) and points (22) over 76 regular-season games while having a plus-minus rating of plus-12. 'He was great today,' Panthers center Anton Lundell said. 'He's been great the whole season and the whole playoffs. He's a different kind of player. He's not known to score goals but he always steps up.' The Panthers lead the best-of-7 series 3-0 and are one win away from advancing to the Stanley Cup Final for the third consecutive year. Game 4 is on Monday at 8 p.m.
