Q&A: Lomberg talks Big Goal, ECF and Stanley Cup Final

SUNRISE, Fla. - Ryan Lomberg's first goal of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs came at a critical time for the Cats in the eventual series clinching game over the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday at FLA Live Arena.

After an injury in Game 3 of the opening round against Boston kept him out for eight games, the fast and gritty forward made his presence felt in the Eastern Conference Final with eight hits and a go-ahead goal in the second period of Game 4.

A day after helping the Panthers punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final, I had a chance to speak to Lomberg about getting to play for the Stanley Cup, a surprise superfan and much more on Thursday.

DARRAGH: A little time has gone by, what are the emotions like and has it kicked in that you guys are going to be playing in the Stanley cup final?

LOMBERG: We're excited. It's obviously a huge opportunity, one that a lot of us have waited our whole lives for. For now, it's about recovering today and the next couple of days, and then getting back to work.

DARRAGH: First thought that went through your mind after Matthew Tkachuk's goal with 4.7 seconds left?

LOMBERG: Yeah, it was pretty cool [laughs]. The building was on fire and the bench was going crazy. It was a very, very cool moment.

DARRAGH: What can you say about Matthew Tkachuk and Sergei Bobrovsky in these playoffs and specifically the Eastern Conference Final?

LOMBERG: They are two guys that are obviously incredibly gifted and work incredibly hard on and off the ice, so I think there's not much to say outside of the results they have been getting.

DARRAGH: What was the room and celebration like last night after the game?

LOMBERG: It was cool. We have worked tremendously hard to get to that point, so to be able to celebrate it in that moment with a lot of guys who have been here a while and ownership who has put a lot of time, heart, sweat, and tears, it was a good moment for the organization.

DARRAGH: After you left the rink who'd you talk to and what was their excitement like?

LOMBERG: I went home to my wife, and she is tremendously excited for myself and the team. I called my parents and same thing; they are obviously very proud and I'm proud to be a part of this group.

DARRAGH: You guys have been on a magical run since being down 3-1 to Boston, what has made this team so special and dominate in the playoffs?

LOMBERG: I think you can look at the different series, streaks, and all that, but for us in the room we are taking it one game at a time. We won the last one and now we are looking to win the next one.

DARRAGH: You missed some games with an injury, but come back in this series and make an impact, how did it feel to score a big-time goal in a series-clinching game?

LOMBERG: It was huge for our line, for sure. Obviously the playoffs are tight, but especially against that team there is not much ice out there. They battle all the way through from defensive zone to the offensive zone, so we knew it was almost going to be a broken play and then a little play at the net, which it turned out to be. I am just proud of the line.

DARRAGH: Brooks Koepka has been wearing your jersey and pumping the team, what's it like having a big name like that supporting not just the team but you personally?

LOMBERG: It is cool, for sure. To call Brooks a friend is one of the cooler things to ever happen to me. Was obviously a big fan of him and watching him go on his tears through the years, so to have his support, call him a friend, and be around his buddies is pretty cool.

DARRAGH: Looking ahead, obviously still waiting on who the opponent is going to be and a start date, how do you balance keeping this momentum while also getting some rest?

LOMBERG: We have a great training staff that is going to take the lead with that and tell us what we need to do. For us as players at this point it is just doing what we are told about until game time and then doing what we normally do.

DARRAGH: The arena has been absolutely rocking lately, what's it been like playing in front of all these Panther fans?

LOMBERG: It is awesome. They deserve it just as much as everybody. You can feel how much they want it, and it is cool to be able to give it to them.

DARRAGH: If there is one message you can say to Panthers fans before the Stanley Cup Final begins, what would you say to them?

LOMBERG: Four more and then we go. Four more and then we go!