The Rat Trick
Fansided

Florida Panthers: Four Problems with the In-Game Experience

By Carmelo Mastrangelo

SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 2: Alex Petrovic #6 of the Florida Panthers celebrates with fans their 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes at the BB&T Center on April 2, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 2: Alex Petrovic #6 of the Florida Panthers celebrates with fans their 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes at the BB&T Center on April 2, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Lacking Originality

SUNRISE, FL – MARCH 19: Florida Panthers fans watch warm-ups holding Kevin Spacey masks, prior to the start of the game against the Detroit Red Wings at the BB&T Center on March 19, 2016 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FL – MARCH 19: Florida Panthers fans watch warm-ups holding Kevin Spacey masks, prior to the start of the game against the Detroit Red Wings at the BB&T Center on March 19, 2016 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The best year in marketing for the franchise, outside the years spent at the Miami Arena, was the Spacey in Space sweatshirt era in 2016.

During the 2016 season, the Panthers put together a twelve-game winning streak, a new franchise record.

Like most teams, the Panthers would award the MVP of each winning game with a novelty item, usually used for humor and team chemistry more than a judgment of value.

During the win streak, the Panthers adopted a loose-fitting, bright blue sweatshirt. In the center, laid a picture of Kevin Spacey’s head in front of a generic space image.

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Although most teams use funny hats or apparel, this sweatshirt seamed particularly odd as no link to Kevin Spacey seemed evident, and the garment presented itself as serious, being used for a joke with the Panthers.

Even more, the Panther players refused to answer questions on the origin or meaning behind the sweatshirt. The mysteriousness, uniqueness, and irrelevancy to hockey made the sweatshirt an icon for the fanbase throughout the season, even garnering national attention at one point.

You could hear fans of opposing teams saying “what’s with the sweatshirt?” It was great for fans to look over and see someone matching themselves in the sweatshirt and feel uniquely a part of the team.

The sweatshirt was “retired” in 2016 and the fans are waiting for a symbol and movement to feel connected with the team again.

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