SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice certainly wasn’t shy about his words as his team gets ready to collide with the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday.
“I need to win one. I’m 30 years into this thing. I wouldn’t mind winning one,” Maurice said.
Panthers coach Paul Maurice on the chance to win a Stanley Cup after his long career:
— Will Manso (@WillManso) June 7, 2024
“I need to win one. I’m 30 years into this thing. I wouldn’t mind winning one.” pic.twitter.com/GMUowxwdaS
The Florida Panthers will be entering their third Stanley Cup Final appearance on Saturday when they take the ice at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise.
It comes a year after, the Panthers fell to the Las Vegas Golden Knights in 5 games (4-1) in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final.
The Panthers know they will have quite the challenge at hand as Oilers captain Connor McDavid is widely regarded as the best player in the NHL.
Maurice told reporters that he’s overcome some challenges building a strong team in South Florida, but he is confident the strong fan base and making it to the Final will allow his players to finish the job.
“There are challenges in every market, certainly spend time up north and understand the challenges in the northern market with the volume. But there’s also great challenges in a market where you’re trying to drive that volume,” said Maurice. “We need people to come.”
Panthers players also spoke to reporters for Media Day ahead of the big game.
“This is what you dream of when you first put on skates,” said Panthers center Evan Rodrigues. “There’s obviously been a little bit of a break since the last series but I think were at the point where we would love for the puck to drop in an hour.”
Besides both teams hitting the ice to practice, Local 10 was at Amerant Bank Arena Friday morning as crew members were seen getting the arena ready to go for the almost more than 20,000 visitors that will be in attendance cheering for either team.
At last check, tickets for seats in the 300 level for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup were selling for more than $300, but down on the ice, some of the first few rows that are still available are selling for more than $3000 on Ticketmaster.
The puck is set to drop at 8 p.m. Saturday and viewers can watch right here on Local 10.
Hockey fans can also tune in to Local 10′s Chasing the Cup pre-game show starting at 7:30 p.m.
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