Panthers celebrate Stanley Cup win with beachfront parade
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Fans gather for the Florida Panthers Stanley Cup parade on Fort Lauderdale Beach. Photo: Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images
The Florida Panthers celebrated their second straight Stanley Cup victory with a week-long party across South Florida, culminating with a beach-front parade Sunday in Fort Lauderdale.
Why it matters: South Florida has been wrapped up in hockey hysteria since last season when the Panthers delivered the Miami area its first championship since 2013.
Catch up quick: The Panthers' booze-fueled celebration took the team around some of the area's top party spots, including Fort Lauderdale bar Elbo Room and Miami strip club E11EVEN.
- Much of the debauchery — including Panthers center Sam Reinhart's stripper-pole stunt — was documented at length on social media.
The latest: Sunday's parade took place along A1A, as fans gathered to watch the team's red double-decker buses head down the beachfront strip.
- Along the route, players hopped off the bus to bring the Stanley Cup closer to the fans, even dumping beer from the trophy into their mouths.
- The team held a victory rally on the beach near Fort Lauderdale Beach Park.
What they're saying: Panthers center Brad Marchand, who was acquired from the Boston Bruins in March, told fans he was happy he didn't have to play against the Panthers anymore.
- "I never could have imagined being part of something so special."
Stanley Cup Playoff MVP Sam Bennett, who's seeking a contract extension with the team, took an expletive-laced shot at critics upset about the Panthers' physical play.
- "They call us dirty, they call us nasty. They call us bullies. I would like to take this time to apologize to absolutely f***ing no one, we're the double champs. We do what the f*** we want. Let's go."
