Ekblad and the Panthers are fighting for a playoff spot while Koepka just finished second at The Masters

It’s been quite a fortnight following the story of Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad and professional golfer Brooks Koepka.

In perhaps the biggest surprise twist yet, on Monday we learned that the viral video incident in which Koepka was filmed at a Panthers game holding a parking cone and hurling expletives at Ekblad was apparently now water under the bridge.

Speaking to TSN’s Mark Masters ahead of Florida’s home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ekblad smiled while admitting he’d spent his entire day off on Sunday at home, with his feet up, watching The Masters.

Koepka entered play on Sunday playing some beautiful golf and holding a four-stroke lead.

The Jupiter resident and self-proclaimed die-hard Panthers fan seemed to be on his way to becoming Masters champion.

Things didn’t quite work out that way.

Koepka suddenly stopped making birdies, and Jon Rahm caught fire to come from behind and ultimately win the tournament by four strokes. Koepka finished tied for second with fellow LIV golfer Phil Mickelson.

For those thinking Ekblad must’ve enjoyed watching Koepka’s collapse, there is a bit more to the story.

First off, it must be known that Ekblad is a genuinely good guy.

He’s always smiling, happy to joke around and kind to those he interacts with.

In the time between the parking cone incident and this weekend at The Masters, Ekblad and Koepka had been in touch.

The two professional athletes found a way onto the same page and were ultimately able to clear the air.

“He texted me after and apologized, and I’m cool with it,” Ekblad said. “That’s just part of being intense. Maybe he had some money on the game.”

Interestingly enough, Ekblad went on to say that he bet on Koepka to win on Sunday in Augusta.

Perhaps part of that decision was due to their newfound friendship, or mutual respect, or whatever you want to call it, but Ekblad said he put some deeper thought into his golf wager.

“Before the tournament I felt that he came in after winning in Orlando on the LIV tour, and just felt that I had a chance to make some money,” he explained.

Regarding the video of Koepka and the cone, Ekblad admitted that he wasn’t a fan of it at first.

Ultimately, he seems to view Koepka like any other fan at Panthers game, and fans have the right to cheer for or criticize any player they choose.

Sometimes, though, things get taken a little too far.

“He did what he did, and he apologized,” Ekblad said. “Holding ill will against somebody and pulling negativity in your body is never a good thing.”

For what it’s worth, Ekblad has been playing quite well since Conegate (can we call it that?).

In the seven games since Florida lost to the New York Rangers that night, Ekblad has had at least one point in each, racking up two goals and six assists.

It’s his best scoring stretch since logging seven points in five games back in late November.

Like the Panthers, who have won six straight and sit atop the Wild Card race, Ekblad is peaking at the right time.

The hope now is that Florida’s postseason fate ends up with a happier ending than Koepka did at The Masters.

However things end up with the Panthers season, it seems Ekblad and Koepka will now always be linked in this odd, entertaining way.

“At the end of the day, it's all just sports, right?” Ekblad said. “We all get intense sometimes. It is what it is.”