Matthew Tkachuk explains why Panthers shoot plastic rats at Brad Marchand
Bruins
Tkachuk additionally stated in a current interview that Marchand was “born to be a Florida Panther.”
Not typically does a participant decide to obtain punishment after profitable a recreation, however that’s what Brad Marchand has carried out for a lot of his transient tenure with the Panthers.
The previous Bruins winger has been on the improper facet of a postgame custom following Panthers’ wins, getting pelted by plastic rats from a number of of his teammates earlier than they depart the ice.
That custom continued when the Panthers defeated the Hurricanes in Recreation 5 of the Japanese Convention finals to win the Prince of Wales Trophy on Thursday. Following the on-ice celebration, Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, and Evan Rodrigues waited for Marchand in entrance of the exit off the ice earlier than taking pictures plastic rats at him.
Whereas the custom would possibly match Marchand’s “rat” nickname, it actually is weird. Tkachuk isn’t positive the way it began, however he defined how the group has come to embrace it.
“I don’t really recall the way it began as a result of I wasn’t taking part in within the common season. I feel Marchy performed 10, 15 video games on the finish of the common season and I wasn’t in them,” Tkachuk informed ESPN’s “Pat McAfee Present.” “I usually exit, depart the ice second-to-last with Barky (Barkov) after a win and as soon as it got here to Recreation 1 of the playoffs, Marchy picked up a number of rats — possibly for his youngsters or folks that have been asking.
“I feel it began with Roddy (Rodrigues). I feel E-Rod shot the primary one at him, after which Barky was like, ‘If you happen to’re going to shoot one, then I’ll cross one properly into you.’ Then, after I got here again, we began firing them at him. So, it’s been a enjoyable custom and other people appear to love it. It matches what our group is all about: having enjoyable and never taking something too significantly.”
Marchand informed reporters through the Japanese Convention finals that Rodrigues was additionally the person behind the celebration. Nonetheless, Rodrigues isn’t positive how the celebration got here to be.
“I don’t know the way it began, however I feel the primary recreation he was right here, we gained, we ended up doing it and it’s simply form of turn out to be a bit of little bit of a factor,” Rodrigues informed reporters.
Marchand has had enjoyable and embraced the celebration. He made a joke about his longstanding “rat” nickname when he requested why the celebration started through the Japanese Convention finals.
“They see my household on the ice and wish us to be collectively,” Marchand deadpanned.
Nonetheless, Marchand is beginning to really feel the consequences of getting the plastic rats shot at him after every recreation because the Panthers have gained 12 of their 17 video games this postseason.
“Yeah, they’re taking pictures to harm now,” Marchand informed reporters following the Panthers’ Recreation 2 win over the Hurricanes. “Matthew Tkachuk caught me with one final recreation that I really actually felt there.”
Nonetheless, Marchand desires Tkachuk, Barkov, and Rodrigues to offer him their finest photographs once they fireplace the plastic rats at him.
“It higher damage like hell in the present day,” Marchand informed TNT Sports activities’ Jackie Redmond of the custom following the Panthers’ Recreation 5 win over the Hurricanes.
Marchand, who turned 37 earlier in Might, has been one of many Panthers’ prime stars this postseason. He’s scored 4 objectives and tallied 14 factors, with the latter being tied for the fourth-most on the group this postseason.
On prime of Marchand’s on-ice contributions, Tkachuk believes the previous Bruins star is an ideal match for the Panthers.
“He’s been an amazing addition, not just for his [physical play], however he’s such a superb participant,” Tkachuk informed McAfee. “Folks don’t get to see it an excessive amount of. I get to see it every single day, whether or not it’s in video games or follow. He’s so expert and so sturdy on the puck.
“Then, such as you stated about him becoming in culturally, I get he was an ideal Boston Bruin for a very long time, nevertheless it looks like he was born to be a Florida Panther the way in which he’s on and off the ice. So, we’re very blissful to have him.”
Marchand will look to win his second Stanley Cup when the Panthers tackle the Oilers within the Stanley Cup Remaining. Recreation 1 will happen on Wednesday.
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