Sam Reinhart’s message to Panthers fans reveals why he’s missing the parade

A three-games-to-zero advantage had eluded the Florida Panthers. When they took the ice in Monday’s Game 7 against the Edmonton Oilers, the Panthers were playing to win the Stanley Cup and to avoid the major embarrassment of blowing a 3-0 series lead. If Florida had lost this game, it could have been argued that it was the worst choke in NHL history. However, Sam Reinhart had a lot to say about it.

The Oilers had largely dominated the Panthers in Games 4-6, but the Panthers seemed to find their footing in the first period of Game 7. They scored the first goal of the game on a deflection by Carter Verhaeghe and left the period with the score tied 1-1.

Still, the game was up for grabs in the second period when Reinhart made his statement. He carried the puck over the boards on the right wing and when the Edmonton defense couldn’t cut him off, he fired the puck on goal as he reached the faceoff circle. Edmonton goalie Sam Skinner didn’t have a good view of the shot and left some space on the short side when the puck found the back of the net at 15:11. The relief among the Panthers and their fans was palpable, and the Panthers defense held on to that lead until the end of the period.

At the start of the third period, many expected Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to produce an equalizer. However, Florida’s defense refused to give in and as the minutes ticked by, they held on to the lead. The Oilers looked gassed in the final minutes and the Panthers survived the period to take the 2-1 triumph. Their fans roared their approval and celebrations ensued.

The Panthers celebrate their first Stanley Cup and are celebrating all week long

Moments after the final whistle, the Panthers players threw their gloves and sticks into the air and congratulated each other with pats on the back and loud shouts of joy. Stanley Cup goaltender Philip Pritchard rolled the Stanley Cup onto the ice at Amerant Bank Arena and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman presented the legendary trophy.

Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov was the first to skate with the Stanley Cup, and his teammates followed. Reinhart had the opportunity to joyfully skate with the Stanley Cup and celebrate with his teammates and fans in the days that followed.

However, Reinhart could not participate during the championship parade, and he explained why he had to forgo the event.

“I won’t be able to be there,” Reinhart said. “It’s quite sad, but my best friend is getting married and I can’t miss it. I have to be there for him. I will certainly be there in spirit and hope to see you all very soon. »

Reinhart scored 57 goals during the regular season and another 10 in the playoffs, so it’s clear that Panthers fans won’t begrudge him his absence.