It’s not every day goaltender warmup routines become a story.
But it certainly became one in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.
As the teams took the ice pregame at Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday, Florida Panthers backup goaltender Vitek Vanecek locked eyes with Edmonton Oilers starter Stuart Skinner at the red line between the team’s benches.
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Eventually, Edmonton’s Calvin Pickard got in on the fun as well, making it a two-on-one stare down before they ultimately went their separate ways.
So … what exactly happened?
“I was just doing my routine,” Vanecek said, “and then [Pickard] said ‘if I want to go stretch with him.’ I said ‘no, I’m good, I like this side.”’
Has this always been Vanecek’s routine?
“It’s a new one,” he said. “For this series.”
Pickard, who entered in relief for Skinner following the first period on Thursday, confirmed that’s how things unfolded.
“It’s nothing,” Pickard said. “I just went over there asking, because he’s just, I don’t know, I think he’s trying to get into [Skinner’s] head. But it really wasn’t anything. Obviously, the cameras, you can’t hide out there. You guys are making it be a bit of a story, but I was just asking if he wanted to stretch next to me. He said, ‘No.’ I said, ‘That’s OK.’”
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Vanecek was able to appreciate how Pickard handled himself after being thrust into Game 4. Florida built a 3-0 lead against Skinner in the first period before Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch made the change. Pickard then went on to stop 22 of 23 shots he faced as Edmonton rallied to win 5-4 in overtime.
“It’s always tough. He’s an old guy, a lot of experience, and then he come into the game. He played great. I think that’s something special for him.”
Pickard will be back in net for Edmonton for Game 5 on Saturday at Edmonton’s Rogers Place, with the best-of-7 series tied 2-2.
Will another stare down ensue?
“I don’t have much routine there,” Pickard said. “I’ll be probably facing our end.”