Florida wins first Stanley Cup

McDavid named Conn Smythe winner as playoff MVP as Oilers’ historic comeback cut short

- KEVIN MCGRAN

Florida head coach Paul Maurice lifts the Stanley Cup after Florida's victory against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 in Sunrise, Fla.

Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov raised the Stanley Cup — the first Finnish captain to do so — and passed it to goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.

And on it went, the crowd cheering each player, each coach, each assistant, the entire management team until the team picture at centre ice.

It was all smiles, all sweat, some tears.

“I just can’t believe what’s going on, to be honest,” Barkov told the cameras on the ice at Amerant Bank Arena. “It’s nuts. It’s incredible to see how hard everyone worked. And now, there’s no games tomorrow.

“It’s unbelievable for sure.”

Believe it. The Florida Panthers, a franchise born 30 years ago and frequently the object of derision, are champions.

A second-period goal by Sam Reinhart stood as the difference in Florida’s 2-1 win Monday night as the Edmonton Oilers ran out of magic.

“Can’t get the words out,” said Florida defenceman Aaron Ekblad. “It’s incredible. It’s amazing. It’s the best feeling in my life so far. Nothing tops it.

“It’s your worst nightmare when you lose Game 6. We’ve got some great leadership in the room and we turned it around.

“The journey has been incredible, it’s insane. We did it.”

The crowd was its loudest when affable and long-serving coach Paul Maurice raised the Cup.