Paul Maurice Fires Back at Reporter Questioning Panthers' On-Ice Behavior
Photo credit: Maple Leafs Hot Stove
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice fired right back at a reporter who questioned the team's on-ice behavior compared to their off-ice behavior between games.
The Florida Panthers have the chance to become the 1st NHL club to advance to a 3rd straight appearance in the Stanley Cup Final since their divisional foe Tampa Bay Lightning did so from 2020 to 2022.
It's especially ironic given that the state of Florida has historically never been known as a hotbed of hockey, but nobody can ignore the new reality that since 2020, the Stanley Cup Final has gone through the Sunshine State for the last 5 years with the very real potential of a 6th straight year.
The Panthers have a well-earned reputation for playing with a physical edge that opposition fans have even called dirty and dangerous. It was something that coach Paul Maurice was directly asked about, and he answered in classic fashion.
I'll ask you two questions, and they might be personal so you don't have to answer them. Have you ever shotgunned a beer? Have you ever been to church, or something spiritual? OK. Would you shotgun a beer at church? That doesn't make you a hypocrite. There is a context and a place for all things.
I will tell you they are honest, these men are honest. That personality is all real. I hated Matthew Tkachuk, that's a little too strong, when I was in Winnipeg. Then you meet him, and you're like 'what a wonderful human being.'
I will tell you they are honest, these men are honest. That personality is all real. I hated Matthew Tkachuk, that's a little too strong, when I was in Winnipeg. Then you meet him, and you're like 'what a wonderful human being.'
Maurice then continued to build up his players and their personalities of charitable things they do away from the rink for the community, which understandably stops once they're on the ice against the opposition.
They are hard on the ice, they are. But that's driven by how they feel about each other. They don't want to let the other guy down. There's a caring about them. These guys are different. Barkov's personality is our room. Sam Bennett and his wife are raising money for cats and dogs. They are really nice people.
And then the puck drops. Sometimes you say a prayer, sometimes you shotgun a beer. That's like our team.'
And then the puck drops. Sometimes you say a prayer, sometimes you shotgun a beer. That's like our team.'
| POLL | ||
MAI 26 | 214 ANSWERS Paul Maurice Fires Back at Reporter Questioning Panthers' On-Ice Behavior Can the Panthers complete the sweep against the Hurricanes once again? | ||
| Yes | 105 | 49.1 % |
| No | 109 | 50.9 % |
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