Something a bit different this time as the five things we learnt this
week goes all American on you as Tony went to see the Blackhawks and
Lightning play at the Florida Panthers' BB&T center. So what did he learn on the other side of the pond?
1> They do get sell outs in Sunrise - 19,500 in attendance for each game filled the arena. OK the majority were wearing the away team shirts, but a sell out is a sell out, and the home fans went home happiest both nights - especially the one who won $13k on their 50:50.
2> Luuuuuu - Awesome calmness and patience under pressure showed why
Luongo is an all-star. Was the man to carry his team whilst Kane, Toews,
Stamkos, Bishop et al couldn't make the same single handed impact.
First Star performances both nights IMO.
3> Empty nets - Two new records for me as the earliest I've ever seen
a netminder pulled during 5 on 5 play - Darling was pulled with 8.30
remaining, and the following night Vasilevskiy was pulled with almost 11
minutes remaining. Both teams were down by three or four goals so had
little to lose but that's ballsy!
4> Practice facility - The Panthers have free public practices
several times a week at their nearby triple pad 'Iceden' facility. Was
great to see how they went about their business, who worked with who,
and seeing them up close and personal.
5> Team hotel - Seems the Bolts use the Sunrise Double Tree too, and I
had to run the gauntlet of a their massed fans as I left the hotel.
Glad I wore my Luongo t-shirt so I could ramp them up a bit and exchange
some friendly banter!
One final thing was how well the crowds respect sing and salute their
national anthem without a hint of cynicism. It was quite spine tingling
and makes you jealous of what could be if we had an anthem we could all
belt out. More next week as I catch the Maple Leafs live too.
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1 comment:
I have a season ticket package for the Panthers. It is amusing when week in week out you sit next to the same people wearing their Panthers gear. Then all of a sudden when there home town team is here, on come the Bruins / Maple Leafs gear etc. Florida is like that, a very transient population. It has been great this year, glad you had a great time. I do miss Scotland and the Fife Flyers.
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