Did I think the Florida Panthers would make the Stanley Cup Playoffs? Absolutely not. Was I happy they did? Of course, that meant more work for me. Was I ready for what happened during the playoffs? No I was not, but it was one hell of a ride and I enjoyed every moment of it.
To say the Panthers had a rough season after winning the President’s Trophy the year before was an accurate statement. They came on real late in the season to make a push for the playoffs and when they had the opportunity to clinch a spot that would give them the 7th seed, they blew it. They were on the out looking in and all Pittsburgh had to do was beat the lowly Blackhawks and they were in and the Panthers out. Luck had it, the Penguins lost and the Panthers snuck into the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Round 1 – Boston Bruins
I was a little happy that the Panthers would be playing my hometown Bruins. They were the favorites to win it all after breaking records all season long. I had two more chances to shoot the Bruins and load up on content for me.
The series came back to Florida tied 1-1, but if felt like another home game for the Bruins. FLA Live Arena was pretty much black and gold and they let it be known.
I was lucky enough to have a hole by the glass to shoot from. Normally during Playoffs etc. I’m on the bottom list of people to get a hole, but since no one thought the Panthers would win, not too many photographers were there. And during the 3rd period I would go to where the Panther’s team photographer would shoot from, since he shoots from above during the 3rd period, and I would get a great vantage point of players high fiving the bench after a goal.
When the series shifted back to Boston, the Bruins had a 3-1 lead and I was content knowing that my season was done. I got an extra two games in and I was good to go.
Did I think the Panthers would take the Bruins to game 7 and then win it in OT? Hell no. No one thought they would, but they did and shocked the hockey world.
I was a bit conflicted as I was happy to be shooting more games in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs but sad my Bruins lost and their dream season quickly became a nightmare.
Eastern Conference Semi-finals – Toronto Maple Leafs
While the Bruins and Panthers were going to 7 games, the Leafs finally got out of the first round after years of floundering. Their fans were chanting after they won, “We want Florida.” Who didn’t? They were the weakest team in all the Playoffs and Leaf fans thought they finally had a clear line to the Cup.
Little did they know that the Panthers won the series 4-1 in dominating fashion. As for me shooting, I didn’t have an assigned hole since there was Toronto media and team photographers in town. I was able to shoot from the tunnel where the Panthers walk out from.
It wasn’t the best place to shoot from because I had fans seating right next to me. I couldn’t turn to the net for many goalie shots, but I was able to shoot down the ice as well as shoot the benches for celebrations and what not.
Eastern Conference Finals – Carolina Hurricanes
When Carolina was the next opponent I thought this was going to be tough for the Panthers to win. The Canes were bigger, more physical etc. I, as well as many others, were wrong yet again. The Cats swept them and in dramatic fashion too.
Prior to Game 4 we had a meeting about going over the Trophy ceremony and who will be where and when. I was going to shoot the handshakes and ceremony from above. I was going to head up from my spot in the tunnel with about 5 minutes left in the period.
With about 4 minutes left, I was getting ready to head up and the Canes scored a goal to tie it up. I just ended up staying there figuring OT was coming next. Again I was wrong.
Matthew Tkachuk scored a goal with seconds left on the clock sending the Florida Panthers into the Stanley Cup finals. What was unique about that moment was that there were only two photographers at ice level, Bruce Bennett and myself. Everyone was either up top or waiting in the other tunnel to shoot the trophy presentation.
I had the best view of Tkachuk sliding down the ice celebrating and then his teammates tackling him. I had the prime shot of him skating across the ice amidst all the rats being thrown onto the ice as he went to hug his teammates.
After the game I just sat in my car not believing what just happened. A month ago I though my season was over and now I’m going to shoot a Stanley Cup game. Unreal.
Stanley Cup Championship – Vegas Golden Knights
The Stanley Cup Championship experience was crazy. Tons of media and all eyes were on us basically. I had the opportunity to shoot games 3 and 4. The Panthers came back home down 2 game and it looked bleak. Hell it was bleak for most of Game 3 until Matthew Tkachuk scored a game tying goal. All hell broke loose when Carter Verhaeghe scored the winner in OT. I had such a great view of him celebrating with the team as well as the rats flying onto the ice. I don’t think I ever heard FLA Live Arena as loud as I did at that moment.
Game 4 was almost the same recipe as Game 3 with the Panthers clawing their way back but it didn’t end in their favor. I was shooting the Vegas bench when I saw the scrum happening in front of me. Fists flying, gear all over; bedlam. What made it worse were all the fans were all the fans throwing objects, like water bottles, onto the ice at the Vegas players.
Unfortunately there wasn’t a Game 6 for me as Vegas won the Championship back on their home ice for Game 5.
To see behind the scene photos and videos, visit my Instagram page. Check out my NHL Playoffs gallery and Stanley Cup Finals gallery for more photos
