FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Florida Panthers returned to the ice Wednesday morning, less than 24 hours before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final — and with a chance to take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Edmonton Oilers.
After two tightly contested overtime games and a blowout 4-1 win in Game 3, things got heated late — with 122 total penalty minutes racked up in the third period alone. The Oilers accounted for 75 of those minutes.
But as the Panthers hit the ice for practice at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, defenseman Aaron Ekblad said all that emotion won’t carry over.
“Any resilient team, especially a team with such dynamic players as the Edmonton Oilers, they’re going to come out with a good game,” Ekblad said. “They’re going to have a great start. They’re going to be intense and excited to have another chance.”
The Panthers find themselves in a familiar spot — but this time, on the other side of the equation. Last year, they were down 2-1 in the Final before delivering a lopsided win in Game 4. They followed that up by taking Game 5 at home, but eventually fell short of hoisting the Cup.
Panthers forward Jonah Gadjovich also shared a lighter moment when asked about a viral clip featuring a young fan interviewed by Local 10’s Clay Ferraro after Game 3. When asked what her favorite part of the game was, the little girl said, “the fighting and the punching.”
Gadjovich chuckled at the response.
“I don’t know what to say,” he said. “I’m not trying to teach little kids to fight. But I’m glad she enjoyed it.”
Still, the Panthers know the goal is clear: another win, another step closer to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup title. Game 4 is set for Thursday at 8 p.m. in Sunrise.
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