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Florida Panthers are playing for more than their season; playing for the victims of MSD

By Cal Friedman

SUNRISE, FL - FEBRUARY 22: The Florida Panthers many of them longtime residents of Parkland Florida stand for a moment of silence for the tragedy at Stoneman Douglas High School. Prior to the start of the game against the Washington Capitals at the BB
SUNRISE, FL - FEBRUARY 22: The Florida Panthers many of them longtime residents of Parkland Florida stand for a moment of silence for the tragedy at Stoneman Douglas High School. Prior to the start of the game against the Washington Capitals at the BB /
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Every hockey team deals with adversity throughout the season. Injuries to star players or bad weather can change seasons in heartbeats. Recently, just 7 miles down Sawgrass Expressway, Majory Stoneman Douglas High School was attacked and 17 young men and women lost their lives.

This was one of the most devastating moments of the season, and it happened off the ice while the Florida Panthers were in their northwestern Canada road trip.

No matter what way this can be taken, the Panthers all felt the pain like it was one of their own. Players Roberto Luongo and Jared McCann own houses in Parkland, as well as former Panther Jaromir Jagr. This is hitting the Panthers where it hurts, right in their own backyard.

Since the incident, the Panthers have worn “MSD” letters on their midsection of the sleeves, starting against the Vancouver Canucks and continuing to the most recent game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Panthers have gone 4-2 since the issue and hasn’t let the issue ruin their recent run of form. Other than the 7-2 embarrassment at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets, the Panthers have played up to par, if not better, with some of the best talent in the NHL.

The return home to Florida against the Washington Capitals was one of the saddest games to watch, starting out with a long moment of silence with the 17 names pictured onto the ice. Then came the speech for Parkland’s own Roberto Luongo:

This was one of the most heartfelt, devastating moments of the season. Roberto Luongo, who missed months worth of games due to injuries this season, returned home and delivered this. Luongo’s own neighbors had felt the same nerves he did 3400 miles away from him.

As depressing as this is, there’s been positives to this. Teams who have causes to play for are extra motivated within the recent span of the disaster. The Panthers and their fans have come together to forget about the pain felt the week before with 60 minutes of pride for Broward County and South Florida.

They’ve given the fans exactly what they needed, with a 3-2 and 6-5 win over the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins respectively, while defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs in overtime last Tuesday, by a score of 3-2.

The players have been brilliant to go along with it. Luongo has made 125 saves across four games, a brilliant return to form after picking up the job from Harri Sateri. Vincent Trocheck has 3 goals in his last six games.

The Panthers are considered wild card contenders with games in hand on the Columbus Blue Jackets, and soon enough Frank Vatrano will join the Panthers after recovering from an injury. Like the Boston Red Sox after the Boston Marathon Bombings, the Panthers have more to play for than themselves, playing to represent all of South Florida, as well as responding to the NHL season

Be sure to tune into tonight’s game against the New Jersey Devils, as the Cats look to extend their win streak to four games!

Next: Florida overcome a blown lead, defeat the Leafs 3-2 in OT

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