Pompano Beach, FL.- Lord Stanley and the Florida Panthers have made their rounds across South Florida since their Game 7 victory on Monday.
After three days of non-stop partying and a dip in the Atlantic Ocean, Panthers’ superstar Matthew Tkachuk made a special pitstop at the Raising Canes in Pompano Beach, FL. Tkachuk spent the majority of the morning giving back to the community, delivering meals to hungry superfans from behind the counter.
The eighth-year veteran was ecstatic to celebrate with the Cats’ faithful following the Stanley Cup Victory. When asked about the fanbase and atmosphere during Game 7 in Sunrise, Tkachuk stated:
“We were the most confident we’d been all season leading into this game.” Matthew reflected. ” Having the home ice was helpful for us. The crowd was so unbelievable for that game.”
After Game 7, the South Florida community rallied alongside the Panthers’ players, celebrating at local bars and establishments over the past few days. The Cup has made it’s way through multiple nightclubs, bars, shopping malls, and even for a swim in the Ocean (not advised), but there’s one place that stands out the most to the Panthers’ Left Wing.
“My favorite place that it’s {the Cup} been to so far is one that nobody knows about.” Matthew Tkachuk stated. “On Monday night, all of the guys that were still up went back to my house and sat by my pool. It was just us at like 3 A.M., sitting poolside, and we read all of the names around the Cup. That’s the stuff that wouldn’t have graced social media, but it was very special to me personally.”
This has been a special week for everyone inside the Panthers’ organization and fanbase. Monday, Florida secured their first Stanley Cup victory in the team’s 30-year history. Also, Cats’ Head Coach Paul Maurice finally won his first title in his 26-year coaching career.
That being said, this title was especially special to the Tkachuk family. Matthew’s father, Keith Tkachuk, was an 18-year NHL veteran (1992-2010). Unfortunately for Keith, he never raised the Stanley Cup during his playing career. When asked about how his father’s celebrated the Panthers’ victory, Matthew shared with the press:
“Honestly, my dad’s partying the hardest out of everyone.” Matthew joked. “He flew out to Vegas for the {NHL} Draft the other night and texted me You’re a Stanley Cup Champion son just to remind me. It’s awesome to celebrate this with him.”
The post-win festivities are only just beginning for the Florida Panthers. This Sunday, (June 30) the Panthers will hold their Championship Parade throughout Sunrise and surrounding areas. The Parade is set to begin at 11 A.M. EST.