Edmonton, Alberta (AP) – Brad Marchand and Corey Perry are both seasoned veterans. Stanley Cup Final. Marchand celebrated his 37th birthday last month, while Perry marked his milestone at 40.
Combined, they accounted for a third of the goals in Game 2 on Friday night, proving that age is just a number in this hockey Cup final. Marchand played a crucial role in securing the second victory of the series with a double overtime win for the Florida Panthers, following Perry’s goal that leveled the series, igniting hope for the Edmonton Oilers.
“You call him old or what?” teammate Seth Jones remarked about Marchand. “I tell him you said that. He’s a warrior. A competitor. He brings immense energy to our team, both on and off the ice.”
Where does that energy stem from to clock in 22 crucial minutes? Anton Randell is optimistic it comes from him and fellow linemate Eetu Luostarinen.
“He enjoys spending time with us,” Randell said, whose assists led to Marchand’s breakaway goals. “He’s in remarkable shape and doesn’t seem to be slowing down.”
Marchand remains a linchpin for the Boston Bruins in his 16th NHL season and 13th playoff quest. This marks his fourth final appearance. Over the last 14 years, he’s contributed to breaking the country’s championship drought, winning the Cup against the Vancouver Canucks.
His two-goal performance coincided with the anniversary of his shorthanded goal against Roberto Luongo in the 2011 final. Luongo, now working in the Panthers’ front office, posted on social media that Marchand is his “favorite player of all time.”
“Lu is fantastic,” Marchand noted. With 10 goals in that final, he holds the record for most active players, surpassing Perry. “I’m thrilled to be part of his team.”
Perry was instrumental in defeating the Canadian team in the finals back in 2007 when he and Anaheim triumphed over Ottawa.
His bond goal, scored in just 17.8 seconds in the third period, is a prime example of his prowess.
“Determination, finding a way to get the puck into the net—that’s his skill set,” said Edmonton coach Chris Noblauch. “Scoring in the playoffs is challenging; you need players around the net who can find a way. He’s as adept as anyone at finding opportunities to score.”
Many might be surprised to see Marchand and Perry excel at their age, but Paul Maurice, the NHL’s all-time coaching leader, isn’t among them.
Maurice attributes this longevity to the 2004-05 lockout and subsequent rule changes stemming from sports science advancements, allowing players to thrive into their 30s and 40s.
“I believe we’ve entered an era where players receive incredible care—be it through nutrition or travel,” Maurice stated. “There’s substantial investment in helping these athletes perform. Both younger and older players benefit from these rule changes, making them better conditioned for competitive longevity.”
Marchand has his own regimen: indulging in a Dairy Queen Blizzard during these playoffs. He engages in stationary cycling before overtime, a ritual he enjoys.
“You’re trying to keep your legs fresh,” Marchand explained. “Ensuring you feel good is crucial.”
The Panthers are feeling even better after acquiring Marchand from Boston, who delivered a critical Game 2 goal that brought the series to a tie. Winger Matthew Tkachuk believes Marchand has scored two of the most significant goals in this run, aging like fine wine.
“Hopefully, he can keep it up,” Tkachuk said. “Unreal player, unreal competitor… He could play until he’s 47.”
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AP NHL Playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Source: apnews.com