After 30-year title drought, rain couldn't stop Florida Panthers' Stanley Cup parade
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Florida Panthers players pour beer onto fans from the Stanley Cup at the parade on Sunday. Photo: Martin Vassolo/Axios
Thousands of Florida Panthers fans braved rain and lightning to cheer on the Stanley Cup champions during their parade in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday.
- After a week of partying around South Florida, the NHL champions took their celebration to A1A on Fort Lauderdale Beach.
👀 What we saw: Players on double-decker buses took turns drinking beer from the 132-year-old Stanley Cup, popping champagne and tossing beers out into the crowd.
- Some fans along the parade route even tossed worn shoes up to the players for them to chug beers out of — an Australian specialty called the "shoey."
- A reporter with Channel 7 got in on the fun, too, sipping from a stream of beer poured down from the bus by left wing Ryan Lomberg.
🍻 What they're saying: Melanie Moore, a Florida International University graduate living in Fort Myers, said the rain couldn't stop the party.
- She and her friend cheered as Panthers center Nick Cousins poured his beer off the bus and into their mouths.
- "As Floridians, it takes a lot to bring us down. We're out here rain or shine."
🙉 What we heard: Lots of F-bombs were broadcast on live TV during the team's championship ceremony from a beachfront stage after the parade.
- "Thirty f---ing years!" Panthers coach Paul Maurice exclaimed on stage, a nod to both his nearly three-decade NHL coaching career and the Panthers' 30-year wait for a championship.
- "Strong as a f---ing wolfpack," Panthers Hall of Fame goalie Roberto Luongo said about the team. "Thirty years we've waited. It's a beautiful moment. Who gives a s--t about the rain?"
- "You guys have been so amazing, best time in my entire life. Thank you guys for the memories. ... You fans have made this the time of my f---ing life," left wing Matthew Tkachuk said to thunderous cheers.
🎤 Mic drop moment: Tkachuk took a parting shot at the Edmonton Oilers, who almost pulled off a historic comeback to win the Stanley Cup.
- "I heard it's 70 degrees and sunny in Edmonton, but they ain't got no Cup."