Ahead of an expected reunion with the Florida Panthers on Saturday, forward Jonathan Huberdeau and defenseman MacKenzie Weegar were scheduled to visit the Lightning on Thursday, and the two Calgary Flames players aren’t shy about saying they’ll keep much less pleasant memories of Tampa.
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Obviously, they had the opportunity to experience the Florida rivalry in recent years, but above all, they found themselves on the wrong side of history in the 2021 and 2022 playoffs. Each time, the Panthers bit the dust against their state rivals: the first duel, disputed in the initial round, ended in a victory in six meetings of the “Bolts”, while the second was a one-sided affair in the semi-finals of the Association of the East, the Lightning completing the four-part sweep. In short, it is with some bitterness that the two hockey players acquired by the Flames last summer have set foot in the lair of an old enemy.
“I hate this place,” Weegar joked to the Calgary Sun. It’s nothing against the state specifically, but this specific place brings out a different side of myself. We have certainly had a difficult time here.”
Because the two Panthers-Lightning series ended on the ice of the winners, which will remain in the mind of Weegar, even if he evolves under other skies.
“In the other locker room, there is an excellent team. It’s not for nothing that they were crowned champions. However, I think there is still part of the Florida battle in both of us. It’s a bit like the other players here [des Flames]; if they are traded, they will keep a piece of the rivalry with Edmonton,” added Weegar.
Learn from the best
For his part, Huberdeau retains more of the elements that allowed the Lightning to reach the top, win two consecutive Stanley Cups and participate in three finals in a row. He intends to draw inspiration from it.
“I don’t have a lot of playoff experience and I feel that in recent years I’ve learned a lot,” he said. I think your best players have to be great defensively and that’s how you’re going to win a cup. You know, it’s blocking shots and the other guys have to look at you and say this man wants to win. I believe you have to make sacrifices.”
As an example, he mentioned a well-known hockey player.
“That’s why I was talking about [Steven] Stamkos. He did that during our playoffs and that’s the facet of the game I want to focus on more.”