MILAN \u2014 Four Florida Panthers players and two staff members take the ice Wednesday to represent their home countries in the Milan Winter Games.<\/p>\n
Team Finland plays Slovakia and Panthers players Niko Mikkola, Eetu Luostarinen<\/a> and Anton Lundell are suiting up for the Fins.<\/p>\n Florida Panthers players take the ice as men’s hockey kicks off in Milan<\/p>\n Panthers assistant coach Tuomo Ruutu is serving the same role with Team Finland. Ruutu is a two-time Olympian, winning bronze with Finland in the 2010 and 2014 games.<\/p>\n Sweden features Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling and Cats assistant coach Myles Fee, serving as video coach for the Swedes.<\/p>\n For WPTV\u2019s Panthers in Milan coverage, anchors Mike Trim and Meghan McRoberts spent the day exploring Milan, and talking with Finnish and Swedish fans about the Panther players.<\/p>\n One fan, decked out in face paint and Finland jersey, told Trim, \u201cIn the NHL, we do cheer for all the Finnish players.\u201d<\/p>\n Another fan in the same group from Finland said, \u201cWe\u2019re very excited when Fins get the Stanley Cup, it\u2019s very big.\u201d<\/p>\n Both McRoberts and Trim connected with a pair of Swedish fans heading to the Sweden vs. Italy hockey game.<\/p>\n They listened to the fan perspective about Forsling and how the Panthers recent run of success is viewed by Swedish fans. <\/p>\n Emil Karnatz said, \u201cReally impressing. They are really the dynasty right now of the NHL.\u201d<\/p>\n Ten Florida Panthers players<\/a> and five Panther staff members are representing their home countries in the Milan Winter Games.<\/p>\n MORE PANTHERS IN MILAN COVERAGE: <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Panthers in Milan<\/p>\n WPTV anchors take Panthers coverage to Milan<\/p>\n <\/a> Panthers in Milan<\/p>\n Luostarinen trades Panthers jersey for Team Finland<\/p>\n
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