In the thrilling world of hockey, the Florida Panthers came achingly close to reaching the pinnacle of immortality in the epic year of 2023.
Battling their way into the playoffs as the Eastern Conference’s last wild-card team, the Panthers defied the odds by overcoming a 3-1 series deficit to upset the formidable Boston Bruins in the first round. Riding the wave of momentum, they surged all the way to the coveted Stanley Cup Final.
In the ultimate showdown, a bruised and battered Panthers squad faced off against the mighty Vegas Golden Knights. Despite putting up a valiant fight, the Panthers ultimately succumbed to the Golden Knights in five hard-fought games. This defeat handed the Golden Knights their inaugural championship title, while leaving the Panthers hungry and determined to return stronger in 2024.
Reflecting on their near miss, Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett shared his team’s unwavering commitment to returning to the Finals. In an interview with TSN1050’s First Up, Bennett proclaimed, “It was never an option to not getting back to that situation. Right from training camp, everyone bought into how hard it was. We talked about getting back to the finals and winning it, and our group was so committed to do whatever it took to win.”
The Panthers seized redemption in the following season, clinching victory in the Atlantic Division and earning a ticket back to the Stanley Cup Final. Facing off against the Edmonton Oilers, the Panthers found themselves on the brink of defeat after letting a 3-0 series lead slip away. However, they rallied back, securing a nail-biting 2-1 triumph in Game 7 to capture the franchise’s first-ever Stanley Cup championship.
Bennett attributed the Panthers’ triumphant journey to their willingness to embrace physicality and execute the necessary gritty plays required to succeed in the high-stakes playoffs. “It can be hard and nasty at times, but sometimes it’s necessary to do whatever it takes to win,” Bennett explained. “We have a lot of guys who bought into that mindset, and it shows for how much success we had over the last two years.”
Throughout their exhilarating run, Bennett emerged as a prominent figure embodying the Panthers’ fierce mindset. Standing tall at 6 feet 1 inch, the determined centre made headlines during the 2023 playoffs for his hard-hitting play. His controversial clash with Toronto Maple Leafs rookie Matthew Knies, resulting in a concussion, stirred up emotions among fans and opponents alike.
In a subsequent clash with the Boston Bruins, Bennett once again found himself in the spotlight for his physical style of play. A collision with Brad Marchand left the Bruins star sidelined for two games, sparking outrage from Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery, who criticized Bennett for his aggressive tactics.
Acknowledging the intensity of playoff hockey, even Marchand admitted that Bennett had “got away with a shot,” highlighting the competitive and gritty nature of the postseason battles. As the Panthers continue to push the boundaries and dominate the ice, Bennett’s unwavering commitment and tenacity serve as a driving force propelling the team to new heights of success.
