South Florida’s recent monsoon-type weather is causing some unexpected issues for the Stanley Cup Final.
The Florida Panthers‘ charter flight to Edmonton was delayed on Wednesday due to inclement weather, which caused widespread delays at both the Miami and Fort Lauderdale international airports.
The Panthers were supposed to take off at 1 p.m. ET, but their flight was first delayed until 3 p.m., then pushed back once more. ESPN‘s Emily Kaplan reported that the flight took off just after 4:30 p.m. local time, meaning the Panthers will not arrive in Edmonton until late in the evening.
The Panthers opted to give players an off-day on Tuesday rather than make the trek northwest, judging that it would be best for the players’ well-being to remain at home for the extra day.
“We didn’t like the idea of getting them up (Tuesday) early enough to get in at a reasonable time in Edmonton. We did not see a value in it,” head coach Paul Maurice said, per Florida Hockey Now, following Wednesday’s practice. The bench boss added that he did not get home himself until after 1 a.m. local time following the Game 2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.
Game 3 is scheduled to take place at Rogers Place on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. MT. Watch it live on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
