Orlando, Fla. In Orlando’s Kia Center on Wednesday, September 25, Florida’s NHL rivals, the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning, competed in their first Battle of the Sunshine State game for the 2024-25 hockey season. The Lightning came out on top with a game-winning, power-play goal in the last two seconds of the third period.
The much-anticipated Lightning vs. Panthers game was a spectacular event marked by an impressive fan turnout and an electrifying atmosphere with a recorded attendance by ESPN of 15,899 people. Enthusiastic supporters from both teams filled the arena and the energy in the air was palpable as fans eagerly anticipated every play, contributing to an unforgettable game-day experience in Orlando. A former Orlando Solar Bears player and current forward for the Lightning, Jaydon Dureau spoke on what he was most looking forward to going into this game in a pregame interview with the Lightning.
“…Just the atmosphere, I know how loud Orlando can get and I know the fans are going to be excited to see the blue boys back out there so it’s going to be an exciting game,” he said. This Florida matchup not only showcased top-tier hockey but also highlighted the passionate fan base that makes these events so special to not just supporters but to the players as well.
In the thrilling showdown, the Tampa Bay Lightning emerged victorious in a close back-and-forth scoring game against the Florida Panthers with surprising and unexpected defensive plays that turned the tide at crucial moments for both teams. Sometimes it’s those under-the-radar players who step up and make a big difference and exactly that is what both teams showcased in the ice rink that night.
Despite the top players for the Lightning, Nikita Kucherov and Captain Victor Hedman not being on the ice in Orlando, the Lightning’s win was highlighted by various players wearing the Lightning uniform.
Scoring two goals each in the close game was defenseman Darren Raddysh and rookie forward Conor Geekie. Raddysh has been a stalwart on the blue line, showcasing his defensive prowess and contributing to the team’s success with his smart positioning and timely interventions and Geekie has shown remarkable poise and playmaking ability. Together Raddysh and Geekie have added depth and versatility to the Lightning’s lineup, making them players to watch as the 2024 -25 NHL season begins.
Rookie Conor Geekie made his memorable mark in the Lightning’s intense matchup against the Panthers. In a nail-biting finish, Geekie scored the game winning goal with just two seconds remaining in the third period, showcasing his remarkable talent and composure under pressure. The young forward’s play not only secured the victory for the Lightning but also highlighted his potential as a rising star in the league and his performance electrified the crowd, adding a thrilling chapter to his budding career.
With this shocking performance by Geekie, Lightning Coach Jon Cooper spoke in a postgame interview on his thoughts of who stood out in the preseason battle. “There was a lot of them but it’s like for different reasons,” Cooper said. “…We’re talking about Conor Geekie because he scored the game-winning goal, but his linemates were great, everybody through the lineup participated in a lot more positive ways than negative ways and that’s always what’s good to see.”
In a pregame interview for the Lightning’s game against the Nashville Predators following their intense game against the Panthers, Geekie touches on how he compliments his game but also plays his role as a forward. “I’m a guy who wants the puck all the time,” he said in the Lightning interview.
“…You have guys who want it too, so I just try to get open for them and be the best option they can have. Don’t get me wrong I want to drive the play but I’m not afraid to get in someone’s face and it’s one of those things where I just try to play my game and if the puck comes to me, I’m more than happy to have it.”
Stanley Cup Champions the Florida Panthers fell short in their tight game against the Lightning but had highlighting moments that stood out to the Orlando crowd. Scoring his first goal in the Panther uniform was forward A.J. Greer. Greer has the ability to forecheck aggressively and create scoring opportunities that have added a new dimension to the Panthers offensive strategies. His willingness to stand up for his teammates and engage in the physicality of the game has earned him respect in the locker room and among fans.
In a postgame interview for the Florida Panthers, A.J. Greer spoke about his outlook from the game and what the Panthers are going to do going forward following their loss in Orlando. “We didn’t get the result we wanted, we just got to look at video and focus on the small things,” Greer said. “The score doesn’t matter in the end but what does matter is the details and how you approach the game. There’s only 13 days left until we start the season, so we got to sharpen up and make sure that those little details are ready to go when the puck drops on October 8th.”
With surprising performances from both teams and a shocking ending, the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning will head into their NHL regular hockey season in October with the memories of the exhilarating atmosphere that was the Orlando Kia Center on September 25.
