Four Finnish players got to celebrate the hockey league NHL championship, when the Florida Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers in the final series with match victories 4–3.
In the wake of the players, their loved ones also got to live memorable moments throughout the final match series. Florida Captain Alexander Barkov the family excited matches in North America. Barkov’s mother described her feelings to after the championship was decided.
– We don’t really believe this yet. In the morning we did not believe that victory was possible, but now it has come, Olga Barkova set the mood.
In addition to Barkov, the Panthers are represented by forwards Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen and credit defender Niko Mikkola. With the help of the Finns’ strong performances, Florida already led the match series 3–0, but Edmonton fought back and stretched the series to the seventh game.
Watching the thriller-like finals was also exciting for loved ones.
– When we led the series 3–0, everyone said that “well, the victory will come”. Then 3–1, 3–2, 3–3… We understood that victory will not come easily. Everyone was nervous, but we encouraged each other, mother Barkov recounted the steps of the series.
– We even went to Edmonton to cheer, but luckily we won today, he continued.
Father of Anton Lundell, former top goalkeeper Jan Lundell was on the same lines as Barkova. Edmonton created a lot of scoring chances at the end of the 7th game.
– Excited, I must admit. This is more exhausting than playing. It didn’t come easy today either, as it shouldn’t. Edmonton got good pressure at the end, but Florida played well. They returned to their own playing, father Lundell analyzed.
Barkov has grown up to be a father
The championship was the first for the Finnish players, but also for the entire club. Florida booked Barkov in 2013 as their club’s leading player. Finally, the championship came 11 years later.
– It feels like something big happened. Surely tomorrow, when he doesn’t have to go to work, we’re all at home and there’s no more stress, the understanding of this will come properly, Olga Barkova expressed the mood.
Aleksander Barkov was also seen on the ice after the championship with his 2.5-year-old son. In an interview with , he raved about how great it is to celebrate a championship as a father.
Olga Barkova says that the champion captain has a really close relationship with her son. The boy praises his father to his grandparents diligently.
– When he is with us, we hear a lot of “dad is the best and papa papa papa…”, Olga Barkova laughs.
He says that the star forward kicks the ball with his son even after warming up in the morning on game days. Also before the final.
– “Sasha” and the boy played and I was in goal. We warm up dad before the game at home, of course.
– “Sasha” is a good father. We didn’t believe it, but fatherhood has come little by little over the course of 2.5 years. Now he is a real father, the little boy’s grandmother beams.
– They love each other and the boy is really important to “Sasha”. Fatherhood gives him, as it were, a kick to do better when he wants to show his son.
Lundell has charmed since he was young
At the age of 22, Anton Lundell has become one of the most important players in his team. During his three NHL seasons, the center forward who leads the triple chain has impressed with his comprehensive style of play. Lundell, who moved from IFK Helsinki to Florida, once captained the Finnish under-20 national team.
He has been compared to Barkov several times because of his playing style and nature.
– He has been a determined boy since childhood. There has been a desire to develop, learn and move forward, father Lundell describes his son.
– Nothing in sports comes easy, and sometimes there are setbacks, but you have to overcome them. Perseverance and faith in one’s own doing has created a solid foundation, he continues.
At the same time, father-Jan praises the fresh champion organization. In her twenties, Lundell moved from her home alone to Florida and was initially allowed to live with Barkov. The parents have been delighted with the way Anton Lundell has been received in Florida.
– Organization, players and coaching… Everything started from how “Sasha” welcomed Anton and Anton was allowed to live with him. The activities in the club are so people-oriented. Everything is taken care of.
– The team spirit has been really good, that’s when big things happen. It’s lucky that Anton has made it to this organization, father Lundell seems to be beaming.
The parents had no information about the championship party until recently. Mother Lundell hoped to be able to celebrate the historic achievement with her son.
– It may be that the boys have their own parties, but we’ll see what the club organizes and where the trip takes us. Not terribly planned yet, Jan Lundell smiled.