News Article: Governor’s Cup

[LUUUUUIS]

Alain Poupart‏@apoupartFins
#FlaPanthers, Lightning and Florida governor announce creation of Governor's Cup to go annually to the winner of the intrastate series

http://www.sportstalkflorida.com/lightning-panthers-launch-governors-cup/

I think this is really interesting. Seems like Lightning and Panthers have never been good at the same time... though it can be said Panthers have never really been good. Anyways, rivalry I think is a huge part of what makes hockey great, and I hope this builds up some between these two teams.

 

[Gizmoskevich]

I've heard the Governor's Cup mentioned in the commercials for this game the other day and was wondering what the hell it was.

 

[FlaPnthrsPunk]

Anything that has the potential to spark this rivalry is a good idea. In the next few seasons, I think both teams should be competitive and we should see some hatred within the state, finally.

People are joking around on Twitter that Rick Scott must be rooting for the Panthers since he didn't know the Tampa/St. Pete area is called the Tampa Bay Area

 

[Panthers Rock]

It's not a terrible idea, but to build a real rivalry, it can't be forced and I can only imagine how awesome it would be if they met in the playoffs (and thanks to this new format, that's even more likely to happen in the future).

That said, I get the feeling that if we win this it'll just be considered "our playoffs".

The most important part though is this:

each team will make a donation to the other team’s youth hockey initiatives
Read more at http://www.sportstalkflorida.com/lightning-panthers-launch-governors-cup/#eciFX5SA3jcbrAQk.99

 

[ucanthanzalthetruth]

Did we not always have something like this between the two teams? I remember going to the last game of the season series between these two teams in Tampa like 10 or 12 years ago, and the season series was tied, and all game they kept saying the winner of this game ends up with trophy x. Fittingly the game ended in a tie, and the TB mascot bashed the trophy over a planted Panthers fan's head WWF style.

 

[hockeydude1]

We better win it. That's all I'm saying.

 

[Dread Clawz]

Sounds kinda lame, like a poor man's SCF bet between cities. But it could add extra motivation for wins, so it can't hurt.

 

[JP Mick]

If it adds anything to the growth of hockey in Florida with the youth hockey support, then I'm all for it.

 

[angry_treefrog]

I like it. Don't really see any downside.

It will be a silly novelty at first - but in 10 years it will be serious - and other teams may borrow the idea.

 

[Crossbar]

If we win the Governor's Cup, will Tim Thomas be present in accepting it?

 

[Ekblast]

I like.

College ball teams have been doing this for a long time. Hurricanes and Gators used to exchange the Seminole War Canoe. FSU, UM, and UF have the Florida Cup.

Too many to list but they can be Google'd and found.