Latest news with #StanleyCupParade
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
At Stanley Cup Parade, Panthers Have Perfect Clapback to Critics
At Stanley Cup Parade, Panthers Have Perfect Clapback to Critics originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Florida Panthers aren't just Stanley Cup champions for the second year in a row, but they're also fed up with the narrative that their franchise has no fans. Advertisement After thousands lined the streets of Fort Lauderdale for the team's championship parade, the Panthers' official X account fired off a direct message to critics who've long dismissed the team as a 'non-hockey market.' "The Panthers have no fans," the Panthers posted on X, captioning a video showing hundreds of fans celebrating on the streets. The 'no fans' jab has long been a go-to insult, especially during the franchise's early years after the Panthers joined the NHL as an expansion team before the 1993-94 season. Those critics looked out of touch on Sunday as an estimated 400,000 fans swarmed the beach to celebrate the Panthers' second title in a row after making the finals in three straight postseasons. Advertisement Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov soaked it all in. 'It's a little better day today than it was last year, but still, this is amazing,' Barkov said. Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk celebrates during the Stanley Cup championship Images Coach Paul Maurice declared it 'the summer of love' for the team's loyal fan base. Meanwhile, alternate captain Matthew Tkachuk said that he "could get used to this," while veteran forward Brad Marchand admitted to being "so happy that I don't have to play against these guys anymore." In capturing back-to-back Stanley Cup titles, the Panthers became the first repeat winners since another Florida-based franchise, the Tampa Bay Lightning, won the championship in 2020 and 2021. Advertisement Related: Don Cherry Disagrees with NHL's Conn Smythe Winner Pick Related: Panthers' Aaron Ekblad Opens Up on Free Agency Expectations This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Florida Panthers' Stanley Cup beach parade ignites Reddit debate over hockey fandom
Stanley Cup beach parade (via Getty Images) The Florida Panthers' recent Stanley Cup championship parade—which was held exclusively on a beach—has set off a whirlwind of responses throughout Reddit, revealing the widening gulf in attitudes toward hockey fandom between established markets and newer ones. As Florida Panthers' fans basked in championship glory beneath sunny skies and palm trees, a self-styled segment of the hockey community took to the internet to ridicule the turnout, the location, and even the authenticity of southern hockey fans. Florida Panthers' beach party celebration sparks reactions as Reddit thread ignites discussion on fan support and regional bias When the Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup, not many would have guessed that the parade was going to happen on the South Florida coast. What appeared to be a festive and creative celebration became instant meme fodder, particularly on hockey forums of Reddit, where one thread went viral, boasting hundreds of cutting remarks and jabs. "Not gonna lie, a Stanley Cup party at a beach would be pretty amazing. I honestly love the idea of seeing all the different places and atmospheres that a Stanley Cup parade could be held in. I can see the future playoff commercials now: "From the sandy beaches of south Florida to the rocky coastlines of British Columbia, from the northern Great Lakes to the dry deserts of the south, from the towering skyscrapers of NYC to the flat plains of Manitoba'," a user commented. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo BACK to BEACH 🌴🏆👋 Panthers 2025 Stanley Cup Parade One of the leading comments cracked, "What is this? A center for ANTS," and another, joking, "All six of us!"—ridiculing the apparent absence of fan support. Still others pooh-poohed the celebration altogether, saying it looked more like an ordinary beach day than a championship parade. However, the beach party celebration also had fervent justifications. A Reddit poster denounced the negativity, saying, "/nhl filled with so many gatekeepers trying to diminish the Panthers' championship. It's sad, really. Isn't the sub about supporting hockey? Pooping all over the fans of an up-and-coming team? Gatekeepers, all of you." Another added, "Yeah, I really don't understand the hate. You would think the Panthers are the worst thing to happen to hockey ever." The Reddit thread shows just how much people feel they have stakes in what hockey "should" be—whether that features sun-kissed beaches or snow-filled downtown parades. The Florida Panthers' beach party may have been unusual, but it stood in for something greater: a realignment of the NHL identity, in which geography is no longer the exclusive signifier of fandom. Also read: Florida turns into hockey heaven as Panthers throw another unforgettable Stanley Cup parade The Florida Panthers have become history-makers by winning the Stanley Cup, and celebrating it on the beach was a nod to their identity—unapologetic, vibrant, and bold, just like all Floridians. To the haters online, sure, they can mock, but it's obvious that the Panthers and their fans are making their mark in the world of hockey, palm trees included. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
