With their 5-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5, the Florida Panthers have advanced to the Stanley Cup Final for the third year in a row.
Following Florida's win, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice noticeably had a lengthy exchange with Hurricanes bench boss Rod Brind'Amour in front of Carolina's bench.
This interaction naturally got the attention of fans, and Maurice provided some context to reporters as to what he spoke to Brind'Amour about.
"It's a personal belief, and I really appreciate what he did because I understand there's a bit of a risk," Maurice said. "The story goes like this. I don't believe the coaches should shake players' hands at the end."
Maurice also added:
"There's this long list of people in suits and tracksuits. We had like 400 people on the ice. They're all really important to our group, but not one of them were in the game. There's something for me visually with the camera on just the men who played, who blocked shots, who fought for each other. It's the end of one season. It's excitement for another. The last thing the player on the Carolina Hurricanes deserves is (shaking hands with) 50 more guys in suits."
Maurice then once again expressed gratefulness toward Brind'Amour for accepting his request to let the players only shake hands.
"I appreciate the risk that he took because he's concerned that somebody here is going to be upset that he didn't shake the players' hands," Maurice said about Brind'Amour. "I asked him not to, and he understood it. So, that's what happened."
Maurice certainly provided plenty of context about the situation with his comments. Clearly, the Panthers' bench boss wanted to let the players have their moment in the handshake line, and Brind'Amour agreed to it.
Maurice and the Panthers' goal from here will now be to lift the Stanley Cup for the second year in a row. Their Stanley Cup Final opponent has not been determined, but the Edmonton Oilers currently sport a 3-1 series over the Dallas Stars.
Is a rematch on the way? We shall see.
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