The party has begun in South Florida — not that it ever really stops there.
But this party is much different: It’s a Stanley Cup celebration.
Since winning the championship on Monday night with a 2-1 win in Game 7 against the Edmonton Oilers, the Panthers have been out and about celebrating with the silver chalice.
While the champs did their fair share of celebrating post-game on Monday night on the ice and in the locker room, things didn’t stop there.
On Tuesday morning, players were seen taking the Cup to the Elbo Room Beach Bar in Fort Lauderdale, parading through the establishment and bringing it out to the beach to get some sun.
That’s when star forward Matthew Tkachuk decided to take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean — with the Cup.
The bar was packed with fans donning the team’s gear, hoping to get to touch the trophy — or even get to drink from it.
The players took turns pouring beer from the Cup while on the second-floor balcony to eager fans below as the place sang along to Queen’s timeless hit We Are The Champions.
The bar, apparently, is a known stomping grounds for some of the players.
“I come here a lot,” Tkachuk told the Sun-Sentinel. “I have not necessarily gone to bed yet, but it’s all good. I’m a little tired, but I got my second wind, so I’m ready to go.”
The former Calgary Flame, who was traded to the Cats two summers ago, said he has no intention of slowing the party down.
“Probably in a few days, it’s going to be the greatest party that’s probably happened down here in South Florida,” he said. “I cannot wait.”
Word of the party had gotten around South Florida, with one social media user posting a video of Aleksander Barkov crossing a street while carrying the Cup and heading towards the beach.
Florida, of course, was on the brink of being on the wrong end of history. After taking a 3-0 series lead in the final, the Oilers fought back to even it up at 3-3 and force Game 7.
Had Florida lost Game 7, it would’ve been the first team since the 1942 Detroit Red Wings to blow a 3-0 lead in the championship round.
While the players already have thrown their own little Stanley Cup parade, the official event is set for Sunday with the route set in Fort Lauderdale.