The Florida Panthers have decided to cancel their public Stanley Cup championship ring ceremony due to concerns about Hurricane Milton affecting the state. Originally planned as a public event where fans could attend for a $20 donation benefiting various foundations, the team has now opted for a private ceremony for the players on Monday.
The decision was made to prioritize the safety of all involved and to prevent the event from diverting resources away from first responders and service providers in light of the approaching hurricane. Despite the cancellation of the ring ceremony, the Panthers’ opening regular-season game against the Boston Bruins, including the Stanley Cup banner unveiling, is still scheduled to take place on Tuesday night in Sunrise.
Hurricane Milton has been intensifying, and there are predictions that it could become a major hurricane, potentially affecting the Tampa Bay area on the Gulf coast by Wednesday. With Governor Ron DeSantis declaring a state of emergency for 51 counties in Florida, including Broward where the Panthers play, the team is remaining in close contact with state and local authorities to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the upcoming game.
On the other hand, the Tampa Bay Lightning had to cut short their preseason schedule, canceling their home exhibition finale against the Nashville Predators due to ongoing preparations for Hurricane Milton’s impact on the region. This decision comes after the game was rescheduled once before, originally set for September 27 but moved due to the effects of Hurricane Helene.
As of now, the Lightning’s game against the Predators will not be rescheduled, and the team is gearing up to open their regular season against Carolina on Friday. The teams and authorities are closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved in these upcoming games.