Matthew Tkachuk breaks his silence, speaks about missing Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals

PUBLICATION

Mike Armenti
June 16, 2023 (9:02)

SHARE THIS STORY

In the wake of the Vegas Golden Knights steamrolling the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Finals to secure their first Stanley Cup in franchise history just 6 years into their existence, many were wondering how Matthew Tkachuk felt about being forced to miss Game 5. Obviously, Tkachuk is an important player for the Panthers - perhaps their best player - and after suffering a broken sternum in Game 3, the star winger actually suited up for Game 4. Unfortunately, he couldn't do the same in Game 5 and now he has finally broken his silence on the matter.

Tkachuk revealed that he had his younger brother, Ottawa's Brady Tkachuk, staying with him and helping him through his injury. The sternum injury was so hard on Tkachuk that he couldn't even dress himself, so Brady had to help with that. He also revealed that his teammates had helped him gear up and tied his skates for him for Game 4.

As far as missing Game 5, Tkachuk knows he did what he could under the circumstances, so he can't feel too bad about the whole ordeal. He also commended his team on what was a bit of a Cinderella run.

"Can hold my head high knowing I did everything possible to try and play.the end result isn't what we wanted.. such an amazing year it was a hell of a run." - Matthew Tkachuk on not being able to suit up for Game 5

Say what you will about the Panthers and even about Tkachuk in terms of his on ice antics. Nobody can say, though, that he doesn't have heart after trying to play through a broken sternum.

MUST READ