“If you can’t beat them in the street, you can’t beat them on ice.”
Con Smitha, a original majority owner of Toronto Maple Leafs and a builder of NHL, made the statement – and it is the basis of the title of his autobiography, posthumously published.
The mantra of Smith could appear politically wrong in this era, but he knew one or two things about victory, including a stretch of six Stanley Cup win from 1942 to 1951 in a span of 10 years.
He can consider today’s NHL soft compared to the league’s infancy, but Smatha – who earned a military cross during the Somme battle in the First World War – possibly appreciating Florida Panthers, who would appreciate the Stanley Cup Champs, who reached the finals for the third conditional year and waiting for their opposition.
Panthers are certainly not reborn by the 1970s Philadelphia Fliers, who used their broad street bulls strategy, which claim some titles, but they are no shrinking violet.
Just ask the Carolina storm, which was removed in five matches in the final of the Eastern Conference.
The series that was considered a conflict between Florida’s aggression and Carolina’s skills became no competition.
By the time Florida’s 5-3 victory was made on Wednesday, the storm was beaten in submission and slowly went into that good night.
Talented as a roster of the storm, it was not a match for Florida’s tireless, hard-chawing style. Add to the mix how the panthers physically targeted the choice of Andrei Swachicov, Seth Jarvis and Sebastian AHO-going over the line and the line there, which with odd cross-check and roughing infection-and the storm never got a chance.
When the dust accumulated, the storm was beaten in the street before hitting the snow.
And now the panthers get an opportunity to repeat as champions and there is a possibility that he will face Admonton Oilors for the second consecutive year.
But do not make a bone about it – panthers are more than just one squad that play bulls. His talent was given to the storm between the check, hack, whax and the stable stream of face wash.
In the five-game beetdown, with a 3–0 Carolina win with a loan setback, which introduced a glimpse of a glimpse of hope for the disadvantaged squad and allowed the storm a last domestic game, the panthers scored 21 goals.
Florida pumped up with a lineup in five power-play markers, with all four lines seen production, as well as crime from the defense core.
Want to know how balanced the panthers are? Through three playoff rounds, they have 10 players with 10 or more points. Comparing, the storm ended with three. Oilors have six, and Dallas stars – who will try to keep their hopes alive on Thursday night – four pride.
All clubs have incredible talent in the final four of this year’s Stanley Cup tournament. What the panthers set is the desire to raise and intimidate it.
Does this mean another title to be seen to be seen for the Sunshine state, but whoever removes the panthers should be ready to get down and get dirty.
Take the game to the street, if you can.
