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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Robert Zeglinski

Panthers coach Paul Maurice was so delightfully cheeky despite losing Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final

Game 1 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final proved to be a tough opener for the upstart Florida Panthers — and a clearly frustrated Matthew Tkachuck — on Saturday night.

After holding their own for two stanzas, the Las Vegas Golden Knights busted the matchup open with three third-period goals to take home the 5-2 win and a 1-0 series lead. If not for the ridiculous heroics of Las Vegas goaltender Adin Hill, the game potentially never shifts this much against the Panthers.

But, even while his team took one on the chin, Florida head coach Paul Maurice kept a positive attitude in the postgame. Maurice was so positive, in fact, that he couldn’t help but crack a few wise jokes to cut the tension.

First, he urged the gathered media to relax in his own unique way.

(Warning: NSFW language in the video below.)

Then, he made light of the referees giving the Panthers a penalty after a seemingly fast review:

And he also had thoughts on what the Golden Knights breaking a 2-2 tie meant to the Panthers. It was a pretty straightforward explanation!

Las Vegas may have landed the first punch of this Stanley Cup Final, but I have a feeling the Panthers are far from done. Maurice’s loose and free-wheeling approach to his interviews after Game 1 is an excellent sign for his squad.

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