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SUNRISE, Fla. — In the upcoming days, the Florida Panthers will be immersed in a delightful array of activities, such as enjoying salmon soup at their leisure, indulging in chocolates, and experiencing the comfort of sauna sessions. There’s even talk of taking a refreshing dip in a lake. Of course, amidst all this, they will also compete on the ice.
The Panthers arrived in Finland on Tuesday, home to their captain, Aleksander Barkov, along with three of his teammates. They are set to face the Dallas Stars in two games later this week, but upon landing, the focus was predominantly on settling in and tasting local treats.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Barkov expressed after the team’s arrival. The Panthers first touched down in Helsinki, where they will stay until they travel to Tampere, Barkov’s hometown, for the matches against the Stars scheduled for Friday and Saturday. The Stars’ roster includes three Finnish players, making this matchup particularly meaningful.
Florida’s contingent from Finland consists of Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen, and Niko Mikkola. On the Stars side, Miro Heiskanen, Roope Hintz, and Esa Lindell represent a strong Finnish presence as well.
Lundell shared his excitement about representing the Panthers in his homeland, stating, “It’s going to be very special. This is likely a week I’ll always remember, along with my family and friends. I hope this inspires Finnish kids to pursue their dreams of becoming professional hockey players.”
Reflecting on his past, Lundell recalled being a young fan in the stands six years ago when the Panthers faced the Winnipeg Jets in Finland. He cherishes the photos he took that day, having been drafted by the Panthers just two years later.
“Thinking about playing there gives me chills,” Lundell added, acknowledging how this opportunity has arrived at the perfect time.
In their previous Finnish games in 2018, the Panthers and Jets each came away with a victory, with both games ending in 4-2 scores. Paul Maurice, the Panthers’ current coach, was at the helm of the Jets during that time.
Maurice highlighted the significance of these games being held in Barkov’s hometown and in an arena where Barkov owns a team. His acknowledgment of Barkov’s remarkable achievement as the first Finnish captain to raise the Stanley Cup resonates with the team. Maurice noted how the Finnish members of the Panthers were celebrated by Finland’s President, Alexander Stubb, during their Cup visit in July.
“This trip holds a deep meaning for these four players,” Maurice stated. “It’s not merely a visit for NHL players; rather, it celebrates their heritage and accomplishments on a successful team.”
Although Maurice is unfamiliar with Finnish, he joked about learning some phrases, especially since he often feels that Mikkola is using colorful language directed at him during games. “I have a hunch he might be swearing at me on the bench,” Maurice quipped, laughing at the camaraderie shared among the Finnish players.
After suffering a lower-body injury early in the season, Barkov was cleared to return just in time for these important games in Finland. He made his comeback in a game against Buffalo, contributing two points to the Panthers’ 5-2 victory before embarking on the lengthy flight to Helsinki.
“I’ve been looking forward to these games ever since they were announced,” Barkov expressed. “Having the chance to play in my hometown at this venue is something extraordinary. I can’t wait for this one-of-a-kind experience.”
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