'We have a game plan': AJ Greer brushes off Jake Walman's water incident as Florida Panthers concentrate on Stanley Cup quest
Florida Panthers winger AJ Greer was witty and matter-of-fact when questioned regarding the surprise "hydration" stunt Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jake Walman made during Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Jake Walman, who was fined $10,000 by the NHL, didn't exactly impress the Florida Panthers locker room. As the Florida Panthers head into a make-or-break Game 4, Greer made it clear: The Florida Panthers have bigger things to concern themselves with than benchside shenanigans.
Florida Panthers not bothered by Jake Walman's fine or Edmonton Oilers' distractions in Stanley Cup Final
The play in question came during the second period of Game 3, when Jake Walman, during escalating tensions, sprayed water at the Florida Panthers' bench.
As much as the moment contributed to the fiery nature of the game, Florida's AJ Greer reacted with humor, commenting that the team is stocked full of hydration.
'We have plenty of water on our bench,'' Greer said. 'We've got great trainers, great training staff. We've got Gatorade, we've got water, BodyArmor.'
Greer glove steal, Walman water spray - Tough Call Recommendation
Jake Walman's actions, combined with a punch he threw at Matthew Tkachuk while the Florida Panthers winger was being held by Edmonton defenseman John Klingberg, cost him a total of $10,000 in fines—$5,000 for each infraction.
Though the Florida Panthers have adopted the hard-hitting of the Stanley Cup Final, they're not being distracted. Game 3 featured a blowout score and a blow-up of tempers.
'Nothing changes for us. We have a game plan,' Greer continued. 'We have a mentality to come into a game in our building and being able to play a certain way. Being able to bring that edge is one thing, but staying in the structure and limiting their forecheck, limiting their offensive abilities with the puck, we're not too worried or too focused on what happened last game, whether it's at the end or the result.
Even with a series lead, Greer maintains the Florida Panthers are maintaining an underdog mindset. 'In fact, we're coming in with an underdog mentality every game, and we're ready to drive our legs, get on the body and work as hard as we can because we know that it's a 7-game series. We're prepared to play that way, and it's the same mentality every game,' he said.
Also read:
Edmonton Oilers blue-liner Jake Walman fined $10K after wild Game 3 of Stanley Cup Final
With Game 4 on the horizon, the Florida Panthers are adhering to what's gotten it done: remaining relentless, playing disciplined hockey, and tuning out the chatter. Whether it's flying fists or flying water bottles, AJ Greer and crew are concentrating on what counts—raising that Stanley Cup, not making headlines for something else.
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