9 hours ago
Stanley Cup stays in Florida. Panthers win back-to-back championships
The Florida Panthers have won their second straight Stanley Cup Final, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 in Game 6 of the championship series Tuesday night.
Why it matters: Florida is a hockey state.
The Panthers are the first team to win back-to-back Stanley Cups since the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021.
Meanwhile, a Canadian team hasn't won the Cup since 1993.
Player of the game: Sam Reinhart scored four goals, including two empty-netters, to stamp an exclamation point on the win.
Better at home: The Panthers celebrated their victory in front of the home fans at Amerant Bank Arena, who cheered "We Want Cup!" and sang Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer."
At Elbo Room on Fort Lauderdale Beach, a popular Panthers bar where players celebrated last year's championship, mini Stanley Cups decorated the bar as fans gathered to watch the game.
"B**h I'm a champion!" one fan's shirt read.
By the numbers: With their second Stanley Cup, the Panthers are now tied with the Dolphins and Marlins for the second-most championships among Miami sports teams.
The Heat have three.
