Panthers to honor Parkland, Fla. shooting victims before Thursdays game vs. Capitals

[turbinetree]

SUNRISE, Fla. — It’s expected to be an emotional night at BB&T Center on Thursday before the puck even drops for the Florida Panthers-Washington Capitals game. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where 17 students and faculty were fatally shot last week, is just 13 miles from the arena, and before the Panthers’ first game back at their home rink since the tragedy, there will be a moment of silence and a ceremony in remembrance of the victims.

Florida players will have “MSD” arm patches on their jerseys and Stoneman Douglas logo stickers on their helmets for the remainder of the season. Both teams will also wear Stoneman Douglas hats in warmups.

“It’s our first chance to sort of see the reality of it all,” Panthers Coach Bob Boughner said. “Obviously, when you hear that kind of news on the road and you see from a distance what everybody is dealing with in the community, you follow it as best as you can, but until you get home and see it up close, obviously it’s going to be an emotional night. I know a lot of our guys, everybody seems to know somebody who was affected by the tragedy. Just being a part of the community and a sense of pride for our community, I think that we have a role to play in this. Hopefully we can get through this and honor it appropriately and never forget what happened.”

Boughner said half the team was at lunch in Vancouver when news broke that there was a shooting back home, and players immediately checked on their loved ones back in Florida. Panthers captain Derek MacKenzie and goaltender Roberto Luongo are both Parkland residents, and MacKenzie said his children go to school “up the street.” Luongo said his nephew played basketball with one of the victims.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capitals-insider/wp/2018/02/22/panthers-to-honor-parkland-fla-shooting-victims-before-thursdays-game-vs-capitals/?utm_term=.f1b37336ec42


Please note that "all" MLB teams will wear hats on opening day for spring training games this Friday, and those not scheduled to play tomorrow will wear the hats on Saturday

[Cha]

1. That's so needed! Mahalo

Panthers!