The praise of the opposing team’s superstar Steven Stamkos says a lot about Alexander Barkov’s appreciation in North America. We found out what kind of puck humor is being celebrated in Florida, which is being dumped in Barkov.
Today, Sunday, the fight between Tampa Bay and Florida will be shown on TV2 at 8:15 p.m. As soon as the game is over, we will move on to the New York Rangers-Carolina match.
SUNRISE. The Florida Panthers Shrine is built in a sleepingly boring single-family neighborhood, in the middle of nowhere.
It doesn’t hurt when Florida-dressed Florida fans prepare to support their local puck heroes.
The playoffs will face the bloodthirsty and best team of recent years, Tampa Bay Lightning.
– This is awesome. We’re in the second round, and we’re playing a double championship against Tampa. We have the opportunity to draw the Panthers on a world map, shouting a teenager Ethan Bassthrilled in the hallway a moment before the match started.
– Oh, what do we like about Alexander Barkov? We love him. This is the realm of Barkov, says Dylan Lopatin.
Lopatin has been watching this Florida Panthers home game arena this season, located about 50 miles north of Miami.
Barkov still wins many awards
Fans aren’t the only ones impressed with the 26-year-old Finnish star of the Florida Panthers.
Without injuries, he would probably have scored over a hundred power points. Now the score was 88 (39 + 49) in 67 matches.
Players and coaches incense Barkov. Even on the opponent’s team.
– Barkov has size, skill and intelligence. He will win many more awards, says Tampa Bay Lightning, a Canadian star player Steven Stamkos.
Tampa coached for two championships Jon Cooper is at the same wavelength as Stamkos.
– Barkov is an elite player who always plays to the full in both attack and defense.
Praise also comes with the responsibility for success.
After many difficult years, the people of South Florida are thirsting for victories. The expectations are specifically for Barkov.
– Does Barkov take responsibility for the Panthers taking the next step forward or winning the Stanley Cup? Yes, it is, says the Miami Herald wafer reporter David Wilson.
Barkov, who has played in Florida for nine years, understands the situation.
– I try to do everything I can. Of course, I have a big responsibility because I get a lot of playing time, Barkov says.
That’s how Florida has become a champion favorite
The Florida Panthers have a strong Finnish presence. In addition to Barkov, the team is puck Eetu Luostarinen and a good season to play Anton Lundell.
The Finns have joined the club at a good time, as the Panthers are on a strong rise after many difficult years.
The club has only reached the Stanley Cup Finals once in its 29-year history, in 1996. Since then, the team had not won a single playoff series.
This season, the curse broke when Barkov-paced bundle passed the Washington Capitals choir.
The team was also the best in the regular season. Now the herd of cats is revered by the entire hockey world.
– It all started when the club booked top promises for three consecutive years, in addition to Barkov Jonathan Huberdeaun and Aaron Ekbladinsays the reporter of the Miami Herald, David Wilson.
However, the price did not start to rise immediately. There was a need for better players around young talent.
Two years ago, a new GM stepped into the picture Bill Zitothat made it wind, recalls Wilson.
– He immediately got ten new players. Among other things Anthony Duclairin and Carter Verhaeghen. Now they are all important players and the team has undergone a complete transformation.
Wilson also emphasizes the importance of good coaching. The Panthers set off this season with an experienced success coach Joel Quenneville under the leadership, but Quenneville was allowed to leave when a case of exploitation of Chicago Blackhawks years ago came to light. Now Panthers is coached by a newcomer coach Andrew Brunette.
Against a rock-hard giant
Florida’s development, however, doesn’t guarantee anything in the face of second-round champion and local opponent Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round of the playoffs.
A few hours ’drive from Tampa’s west coast, Tampa has managed to build a team that is serious about its third consecutive championship.
– Tampa’s success is not based on one factor alone. They haven’t invented for themselves a magic potion that produces championships, he says Joe SmithThe disc editor of The Athletic.
He has been following the rise of Tampa for a decade.
Smith says successful player bookings also laid the foundation for success at Tampa.
The Swedish defender of Järkälemäinen Viktor Hedmanin and Steven Stamkosin it has been good to build teams around.
In addition to this, the club has managed to strengthen its ranks with successful player acquisitions. Smith specifically mentions the credit counsel Ryan McDonaghinacquired five seasons ago from the New York Rangers.
The head has also been kept cold at the right times, Smith points out.
– When Tampa dropped three years ago in the first round in four matches, the team management could have panicked and made changes to the player material and changed coach.
But that was not done and now perseverance is rewarded.
The Florida Panthers undoubtedly have a talented and goal-scoring team. But winning also requires experience and hardness.
Steven Stamkos emphasizes the right attitude. Winning in the playoffs isn’t always beautiful, he says.
– It all starts with our goalkeeper (Andrei Vasilevski). But he, too, certainly admits that he gets a lot of help from players who bounce back, cover the shooting directions, and throw themselves in front of the puck.
Disappointment looms
The local battles between Florida teams in the playoffs contribute to raising interest in hockey in a state where ice or troughs are not quite easy to find.
But the Barkov Panthers are threatened with being left in the hands of a puck.
To the great disappointment of the home crowd, the red shirts bowed to Tampa in both home games.
In the latter game, the loss was sealed only in the last few seconds
– Of course annoying. We were just fine with the game and then there’s that kind of little bang. That’s where the guy wins the game. But yes, we will still get up from this, he said Eetu Luostarinen after the match.
Outside of the hall, disappointed fans are digesting the final outcome of the match and the predicament of their own team.
– This was a hard piece to swallow. But hey, next comes the third match, and you never know how it will go. And if it goes bad, it’s always next year, he says Dewitt Clark.
Clark has been a fan of Florida for 26 years.
– That thing won’t change for any reason, even if I come in a jacket.
Faith ends last. Florida has the opportunity to reverse the course when the teams meet Finnish time on Sunday night in Tampa’s home hall. Four wins are required for the sequel.
‘s studio broadcast of the Tampa-Florida match begins at 8:15 p.m.