The Florida Panthers achieved a rare feat Tuesday night by winning their second consecutive Stanley Cup. They are now just the third team in the salary cap era (since 2005-06) to secure back-to-back championships and the fourth in NHL history to defeat the same opponent in consecutive finals.
So, how does a team commemorate winning a second straight title? The Panthers headed to the famous Elbo Room bar in Fort Lauderdale, bringing the Stanley Cup with them for the second year in a row.
As the sun began to rise, Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov reportedly arrived at the bar in a police vehicle, carrying the prized trophy.
“Let`s enjoy this, but a three-peat is a very good possibility,” Barkov was quoted as saying from the back seat of the vehicle during an interview.
Reports indicated that players like Matthew Tkachuk, Gustav Forsling, Barkov, and many other Panthers were seen taking the Stanley Cup inside the well-known beach bar early Wednesday morning. It`s likely the team had very little sleep since securing the win in Game 6.
Most of the Panthers roster eventually made their way to the Elbo Room. They hoisted the Stanley Cup for cheering fans to see while partying on the bar`s balcony, which overlooks S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. In a memorable moment, some players poured beer into the Cup and showered it onto the crowd below.
After their 2023 Stanley Cup win, Matthew Tkachuk famously took the trophy for a swim in the Atlantic Ocean. This particular act was not repeated this year, as the NHL reportedly made it clear the Stanley Cup was not to enter the ocean after the previous year`s antics.
While the Elbo Room bash was a major part of the celebration on Wednesday, it wasn`t the only event planned for the team and fans.
According to local reports, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis confirmed that the Panthers` official championship parade is scheduled for Sunday. The celebration is expected to take place along Fort Lauderdale beach, likely starting around noon.
The Panthers` championship parade in 2023 drew an estimated crowd of at least 200,000 fans.
