#from Matthew's interview with Pat McAfee

[tkachuktkaching]

Matthew Tkachuk speaks out on his battle with Bruins' David Pastrnak

Florida Panthers' forward Matthew Tkachuk talked about his clash with Boston Bruins' star David Pastrnak earlier in the playoffs. The fight took place during the second-round Stanley Cup playoff series on May 8th in Game 2.

Reflecting on the altercation on 'The Pat McAfee Show', Tkachuk described the circumstances leading up to the fight.

"I remember their bottom six guys trying to start something. We scored on the penalty kill, so we had four guys out there and they had five, which I felt was an unfair scrum advantage. So me and pasta went over and talked to the refs," Tkachuk said

As tensions intensified, Tkachuk initiated a conversation with Pastrnak, proposing a fight.

"I just asked him if he wanted to fight. He said, 'No, I'd rather fight next game.' And I was like, 'No, we're fighting right now.' He then said, 'Alright, maybe,'" Tkachuk added

The decision to fight was not immediate for Pastrnak, who appeared to consult with Bruins coach Jim Montgomery before committing.

"He then looked at me from bench to bench and said he was going out there. I looked at Paul and said, 'I'm going,'" Tkachuk said

This unexpected decision by Matthew Tkachuk, particularly while on the penalty kill, was even surprising for him.

"There was some confusion because we were on the penalty kill and I usually don't do that. I just hopped out there and we fought," Tkachuk said

In describing the fight, Tkachuk emphasized the raw and straightforward nature of the encounter.

"Honestly, I don't think it was anything more than two guys just trying to knock each other out. At that point in the game, it was Six-one. There's the aspect of sending a message to your teammates and all that, but at the end of the day, we were just out there fighting, trying to punch each other in the face. That's it," Tkachuk said.

In that game, the Bruins were trailing 6-1 with just over seven minutes remaining in the third period. Both players received penalties for fighting and game misconduct. Florida won the game and later eliminated the Bruins from the series.

[tkachuktkaching]

Some of the Matthew Quotes from his recent Interview

Fresh off eliminating the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk joined The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN to talk all things puck on Wednesday.

Still in amazement of Tkachuk’s toughness to play with a broken sternum during last year’s Stanley Cup Final, McAfee and his energetic band of co-hosts started the show talking about playing through pain.

“In the Stanley Cup Playoffs all bets are off and you do whatever you can to play,”

“He was fired up to see us beat Tampa the other day,” (talking of his dad)

“Growing up having him as a voice, as a role model, my brother and I were not forced to play hockey, but we had everything around us to help us grow into it and love the game. We had him around every day to ask about anything, help coach us, teach us, but I’d say the biggest thing that allowed my brother and I to make it to this level was each other. Having that unbelievably close relationship, being each other’s best friends, biggest supporters, and competitors as well.”

“One thing that I’m super grateful that my parents did, and my mom deserves so much credit because she was mainly the one getting up at 5 a.m. to take us to the 6 a.m. practices while my dad was on the road, was that we were never allowed to play hockey 24/7, 365 days like some of these kids do now,” said Tkachuk. “My parents were all about playing every sport you can. I think that’s what allowed me to not get burnt out and my love for the game kept growing and growing more.”

“Don’t touch Bob and there won’t be any problems,” When asked about Tampa Bay and the two goalie interference calls against the Lightning in Game 5.

“We are really excited to get a few days of rest and get rejuvenated, but it’s the playoffs and you just want to be out there playing,”

“Some of the best parts of playoffs are just hanging out with the boys in the lounges on the road and watching other games throughout the league.”

With three first-round matchups still ongoing, Tkachuk spoke on how hard it is to close things out.

“The fourth game in a playoff series is always the hardest to win because no matter what you are in the series, the other team is so desperate playing for their lives you have to find a way to match that or exceed that,” said Tkachuk.

Something that can help with closing out a series is playing in front of a home crowd.

“It’s a tough question because last year in playoffs are team was lights out on the road and it didn’t matter where we played,”

“When playing in Florida, we have such great fans and the building is so loud, I think home ice is important for us, having the extra potential game seven at home, you always want to have that at home. I think our fans are so loud and we’ve made this rink here in Florida a tough place to play, so I think home ice is important for our team, it’s an extra layer you can add to the series. I think we have great fans, so it’s important for us.”

Among the recent sellout crowds at Amerant Bank Arena, Miami Dolphins Jalen Ramsey and Jaylen Waddle have come out to support and hype up the crowd with the banging of the pre-game drum.

Knowing Waddle was there, Tkachuk told the show he was planning on a big goal celebration in salute of the fellow local superstar.

“If I scored I was going to do the ‘Waddle’ because he was there,” said Tkachuk. “He’s my favorite football player.”

While it didn’t happen that game, McAfee called for Tkachuk to bring in the dance celebration next time he lights the lamp.