McDaniel hypes up Panthers crowd, bangs pregame drum before Game 1

Dolphins head coach gets fans excited for Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena

EDM@FLA SCF, Gm1: Dolphins Head Coach McDaniel rallies Panthers faithful

By Christopher Detwiler
@Chris_Detwiler NHL.com Staff Writer

The Florida Panthers needed a hype man for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, and they didn’t have to look too far.

Mike McDaniel, head coach of the Miami Dolphins, hit the drum before puck drop to the delight of the home crowd at Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday.

It’s no surprise McDaniel made his way to Sunrise for the game, as the NFL coach has been rooting on the Panthers the whole way. Last week after his team’s practice, McDaniel made it crystal clear that he’ll continue watching the Panthers in the playoffs.

“Absolutely. I mean, Do I have a pulse?” McDaniel said on Thursday after he was asked if he would be watching. “I do. I’ll be there watching.”

The Dolphins showed their support with a post on social media on Saturday, as well as a post during the Eastern Conference Final.

Not that Panthers fans needed another reason to be hyped up, but McDaniel’s pregame festivities certainly can’t hurt.

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