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Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brad Marchand embraces Panthers' rat-throwing tradition, which goes back 30 years
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) acknowledges the crowd after the Panthers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) A young Florida Panthers fan watches during the first period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes, Monday, May 26, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) FILE - Plastic toy rats litter the ice after the Florida Panthers scored during the third period of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers, Saturday, June 8, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File) FILE - Toy rats litter the ice as the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers scuffle at the end of the third period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals in Sunrise, Fla., Monday, June 9, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP, File) FILE - Toy rats litter the ice as the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers scuffle at the end of the third period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals in Sunrise, Fla., Monday, June 9, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP, File) Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) acknowledges the crowd after the Panthers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) A young Florida Panthers fan watches during the first period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes, Monday, May 26, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) FILE - Plastic toy rats litter the ice after the Florida Panthers scored during the third period of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers, Saturday, June 8, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File) FILE - Toy rats litter the ice as the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers scuffle at the end of the third period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals in Sunrise, Fla., Monday, June 9, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP, File) FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — There's a giant, gold-outlined rat emblazoned on the hat that dangles in Brad Marchand's locker. The scrappy NHL veteran has been likened to the tiny rodent for much of his career, notoriously known as 'The Rat' among hockey fans for his brash play. Advertisement So when Marchand was traded from Boston to Florida back in March, it didn't take long for him to embrace Panthers fans' longstanding tradition of tossing plastic rats onto the ice after wins. 'I hope we get some rats thrown at us,' Marchand quipped at his locker on Sunday, before Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. 'I just hope it's on the ice and not outside." Marchand got his wish. After the Panthers routed the Edmonton Oilers 6-1 on Monday, those unmistakable gray pests rained down on the ice in a tradition that has lasted three decades. As they've done after most games this postseason, Marchand's teammates fired the rats at his legs before exiting the ice. For Marchand, getting the rats thrown at him is like a badge of honor — a tiny, symbolic moment that represents how the Panthers have been able to keep things lighthearted while going for their second straight championship. Advertisement 'This group has a ton of fun," Marchand said. 'It's an incredible environment to be a part of. In the room, on the ice, even just in the city, there's a lot of excitement around right now.' The rat-throwing tradition goes back 30 years Before their 1995-96 season opener, Panthers players were waiting to take the ice in a cramped, makeshift dressing room at the now-demolished Miami Arena when a large rat scampered in. 'Players were jumping on top of their stalls ... big, tough hockey players,' said Billy Lindsay, Panthers left wing from their expansion season in 1993 to 1999, 'most of us were pretty scared of this big rat running around. We were ducking for cover everywhere.' Advertisement Right wing Scott Mellanby then grabbed his stick and one-timed the rat into the wall. The rodent went flying across the dressing room. It died as soon as it hit the wall. Players later memorialized it by circling the small dent in the blood-stained wall and placing a rat statue there for the year. The Panthers went out and beat the Calgary Flames 4-3 that night. Mellanby scored a pair of goals with that same stick. 'Scott Mellanby didn't even have time to really tape his stick,' Lindsay said. 'So he's got a little rat and blood there on his stick and went out there and scored a couple of goals.' In his postgame news conference, goalie John Vanbiesbrouck noted that Mellanby had the NHL's first 'rat trick.' Advertisement The incident was in the local paper the next day. About a week or so later, a toy rat hit the ice after a home game. The next game, there were a couple more. By the end of that season, which included Lindsay scoring the game-winning goal that clinched Florida's first ever playoff series win, the rat throwing had become such a phenomenon that the team earned a sponsorship from the pest control company Orkin. 'And funny enough, it's still around today,' Lindsay said, 'which is quite strange.' 'It's a feeling you can't replicate' Sports traditions are ubiquitous. Some are sacred. Many are quirky. And they can include just about anything. There's the Lambeau Leap at Green Bay Packers games. The 'Gatorade Bath' after a win in the NFL. LeBron James' patented pregame chalk toss. Detroit Red Wings fans occasionally celebrate wins by throwing octopuses on the ice. The Nashville Predators have their catfish toss. Advertisement For the Panthers, who at the time were in just their third season as an NHL franchise, the rat throwing — buoyed by the fact that Florida made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final that year — became the first real way they got the South Florida fans in a non-traditional hockey market to embrace their team. Colin Fox, 32, a Panthers fan from Boca Raton, Florida, said it's 'a thrill' to be a part of the rat throwing at the end of games. 'Even when they weren't very good, when they weren't on these hot streaks, there were still rats on the ice," said Fox, who wore a throwback Mellanby jersey to Game 3 of the final. "It's something that has persevered through the years." For opposing teams, the rats are often a nuisance, Lindsay said, recalling how some goalies would hide in their net between goals to try and escape them. So many hit the ice after that initial season the NHL changed its rules to say such in-game celebrations could lead to penalties, though the league still allowed rats to be thrown after games. Advertisement There's plenty of rat-themed memorabilia for sale at Panthers games, and the plastic rodents themselves can be purchased all over Miami. At gas stations. Party stores. Some fans order them online. The rats that Panthers fan JP Kirkpatrick, 23, tossed onto the ice after a game this season came from a fan sitting next to him who brought plenty of extras. 'It's a feeling you can't replicate,' said Kirkpatrick, an Orlando, Florida, native. 'It's something you can't get (anywhere else). You've got to be there to get it. You can't watch it on TV. You can't get it in the parking lot. You've got to be out there, be in the seat. The fans, everybody there, it's electric.' No one from that 1995 Panthers group thought they'd be a part of creating a lasting, iconic symbol for the team, but as they look back on that moment amid all the Panthers' recent success, they're proud of what it's become. Advertisement "There's been enough people from back then to hang on to the tradition and pass it along," Lindsay said. "And now you get this unparalleled success where you get three Stanley Cup appearances in a row, you win a Stanley Cup championship, you're looking for a second. And that rat is just (still) going. 'It just makes me proud of what we started.' ___ AP NHL playoffs: and
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Stanley Cup final goalie matchup: Bobrovsky and Skinner, matching wits once again
Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) makes a save against the Dallas Stars during the first period in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs in Edmonton, Alberta, Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner stops a shot against the Dallas Stars during the first period of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) deflects a shot on goal during the third period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes, Monday, May 26, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) watches the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period of Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker) Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) watches the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period of Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker) Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) makes a save against the Dallas Stars during the first period in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs in Edmonton, Alberta, Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner stops a shot against the Dallas Stars during the first period of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) deflects a shot on goal during the third period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes, Monday, May 26, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) watches the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period of Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker) FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The only times that Sergei Bobrovsky spent any time really reflecting on winning the Stanley Cup were the obvious moments. The on-ice celebration that night. The day of the parade. Things like that. Otherwise, he did what he always does. He looked at what was next. Advertisement It is a simple approach and it works best for the Florida goaltender, who is about to play in the Stanley Cup Final for a third consecutive season. At 36 and showing absolutely no sign of slowing down, Bobrovsky's save percentage in these playoffs is higher than what he posted a year ago on the way to the title, while his goals-against average is lower. And in this title series, he'll likely be matching goalie wits with Stuart Skinner again — the Edmonton netminder who was in goal for last year's Stanley Cup Final, when Florida topped the Oilers in a seven-game classic. Game 1 is in Edmonton on Wednesday night. 'You enjoy the moment and savor the moment,' Bobrovsky said. 'You're not trying to cut yourself off thinking about what's ahead or what's happened in the past. So, you're just trying to take advantage of the opportunity again. It's a great opportunity. There's only two teams left, and we're one of them and we have an opportunity to win it all. It's an exciting time, and I want to enjoy every bit of it.' Bobrovsky has been the only goalie for Florida in these playoffs. For Edmonton, it was a different story. Skinner had the starter job going into the postseason, then lost it to Calvin Pickard, then got it back. The Oilers needed 12 wins to get to the final, obviously: Skinner got six of those wins, Pickard got the other six. Advertisement But Skinner, before getting replaced in the playoffs, just didn't have the numbers he has now. He had a 3.39 GAA and an .872 save percentage in his first six playoff appearances; he had a 1.25 GAA and a .952 save percentage in the last four appearances, all of them wins over Dallas in the West final. He seemed more confident; Skinner said that wasn't really the case. 'I felt confident before,' Skinner said. 'That's the life of being a goaltender.' That said, Skinner did acknowledge that there was a different feel to those games against Dallas. 'It's ebbs and flows,' Skinner said. 'You can feel it right away. Sometimes you don't feel it right away. I mean, I wish I felt it all the time.' Advertisement Bobrovsky has almost made a career out of trying to avoid the ebbs and flows. The Panthers have put complete trust in him and what he needs to do to be ready. Panthers coach Paul Maurice often says — and he isn't kidding — that he doesn't coach Bobrovsky. Robb Tallas is Florida's goaltender coach, he works with Bobrovsky, and Maurice's job is to say hello and little else. Bobrovsky rewards that trust. 'I've said so many times, I'm blessed with the team that I have,' Bobrovsky said. 'The guys, the management, the coaches. The coaches allow me to do my things, which is important, especially at my age. To have the room to do the things that I need and I believe, I appreciate everything — where I am, who's around me. It's a blessing and I appreciate it.' ___ AP NHL playoffs: and
