Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in south Florida Wednesday are causing issues for the Stanley Cup final.
The Florida Panthers were stuck on the tarmac at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport after their charter flight was delayed.
The inclement weather caused widespread delays at both the Miami and Fort Lauderdale international airports. The National Weather Service issued a warning of flash floods that it extended until 8 p.m. ET.
The Panthers face the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place – roughly 4,000 kilometres away – Thursday night for Game 3. Puck drop is at 6 p.m. local time.
The Oilers are already in Edmonton and practised Wednesday morning.
The Panthers were supposed to take off at 1 p.m. ET, but their flight was first delayed until 3 p.m., then pushed back at least another hour, according to The Associated Press.
At the earliest, they will arrive in Edmonton at 8 p.m. local time, provided there are no other delays.
The Panthers opted to give players an off day on Tuesday rather than make the trekto Canada, judging that it would be best for the players’ well-being to remain at home for the extra day.
–With files from Elliott Knopp and Sportsnet