Published Jun 07, 2025 • Last updated 9 hours ago • 3 minute readFlorida Panthers winger Brad Marchand, right, celebrates his double overtime goal with teammate Jesper Boqvist during Friday’s 5-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final in Edmonton. Photo by Florida Panthers /Florida PanthersBrad Marchand keeps saying how fleeting big moments are in a hockey career and how much care he’s taking to maximize them before they run out.The 37-year-old from Hammonds Plains added an all-time highlight to his memory bank on Friday night when he scored the double overtime winner for the Florida Panthers in their critical 5-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final. It evened the series at 1-1 and bolstered the former Boston Bruins captain’s rapidly growing legend in the Sunshine State.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“We’re kids. We’re old kids,” Marchand said in a post-game media session. “That’s the biggest thing. We’re living our lifelong dream. We all have such a short window to enjoy it and you want to hold on to it for as long as you possibly can.“But we all have a shelf life and when you see it start coming to an end, you appreciate the days even more.” Florida Panthers’ Brad Marchand (63) and Anton Lundell (15) celebrate Marchand’s game-winning goal during the second overtime period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final in Edmonton on Friday. Photo by David Bloom /PostmediaMarchand’s goal was his second of the game and capped another incredible showdown between the two powerhouse teams. He now has more career Cup final goals (10) than any active player and is showing no signs of slowing down in the twilight of his career.“(Are you) saying he’s old or what? I’m going to tell him you said that,” Florida defenceman Seth Jones jokingly said to a reporter when asked about Marchand’s vast experience. “I mean, he’s a dawg. He’s a gamer. He’s a competitor.“Never a dull moment. He gives so much energy to our team. Super vocal in the room, always having fun, always staying in the moment. And on the ice, obviously, he’s a hell of a player, big-time player. He shows up in big moments and you saw that again tonight.”Article contentAdded Panthers assistant captain Matthew Tkachuk in his post-game scrum: “He could play until he’s 47 the way he’s going.”It seemed everyone inside the Panthers dressing room had a compliment or a friendly chirp about Marchand ready, and not just because he was the hero of the moment. Despite being with the team just a few months, he has turned himself into the inspirational leader and engine in their run back to the final for a third straight year.“Brad’s an honest man and that’s why he fits in our room,” head coach Paul Maurice said to reporters. “He loves the game. He loves the people around him. He’s very open, very gregarious so he just fits right in. He is completely accepted. An incredibly positive human being. He’s up and down our bench all the time just pumping tires, staying in the fight.“He is going to be the same way at breakfast tomorrow morning. He’s just going to be jacked, high-fiving everybody at the table. Truly, he is a unique human. In the northern parlance, he’s a beauty.”Article contentA video clip of Marchand’s parents celebrating their son’s goal also drove home how he comes by his energy and personality honestly. Cameras caught Kevin and Lynn Marchand erupting in joy after the play, with his mother especially vocal and boisterous.“She is one that you need to put a muzzle on,” Marchand joked when asked about it by reporters. “She gets pretty amped up at the games. They’ve always been so supportive, like all of our parents. I mean, I don’t think any player in this league could say that their parents are not the main reason why we’re here, with the sacrifices they all make.“And when you go on a journey as a team and you get to the finals and go out on a run, it’s not just for you; it’s for everybody that helped you get here and all your loved ones that are enjoying the moments, whether they’re here or not. It’s special to have them in the building.”Marchand has now moved into a tie for seventh in league playoff scoring with 17 points in 19 games and only trails Sam Bennett (19 points) in team production. The two abrasive forwards are headed for unrestricted free agency in the summer and are boosting their value with every clutch play.“He’s been incredible for us this whole playoffs, scoring massive goals at massive times,” Bennett said as he shared the podium with Marchand during post-game interviews. “That one was definitely the biggest.”The series now shifts to Florida for the next two games.Article content
Brad Marchand’s double OT winner evens Stanley Cup final and adds to growing legend: ‘He’s a beauty’
