"Where Tkachuk gets his tantrums from"; " Momentum shifts, Karma bites" - NHL fans react to Panthers GM Bill Zito throwing water bottle in frustration

It was a tough night for GM Bill Zito and the Florida Panthers in Game 5 at Amerant Bank Arena on Tuesday. The Edmonton Oilers pulled off an impressive 5-3 win over the Cats, forcing a Game 6 clash in the Stanley Cup Final.

Zito, who was at the arena, was furious with the outcome of the game. His visible frustration led him to release his pent-up emotions by throwing a water bottle while in his seating space.

The Panthers GM's actions in frustration quickly grabbed the attention of fans, who promptly took to X/Twitter to express their opinions and reactions.

One fan said:

"That’s what happens when you throw a game. Momentum shifts, Karma bites."

Another fan joined the conversation and said:

"We know where Tkachuck gets his tantrums from."

"$35 dollars of water down the drain," one fan jokingly expressed.

Here are some of the other top reactions to Bill Zito's action on X:

One fan commented:

"Thinking of that 6 hour flight back to Edmonton will probably cause that reaction in some people."

One disgruntled fan opined that they would've reacted similarly to Zito due to their frustration with the officials:

"Refs stole the game, I'd be mad too, NHL is done."

"I can only imagine his anger when the Oilers reverse sweep the Panthers and win the Cup!" posted another.

Stanley Cup on the line for Bill Zito and Panthers

It seemed like a smooth journey for Zito and the Panthers to secure the Stanley Cup after going up 3-0 in the series, just one win away from their first-ever championship.

However, after an 8-1 defeat in Game 4 and another impressive 5-3 win by the Oilers in Game 5, the tables have drastically turned in favor of the Western Conference winners.

The momentum and advantage now seem to be firmly in Edmonton's hands, making the series much more competitive and seemingly heading for a Game 7 showdown.

Florida will aim to steer clear of another season without clinching the Cup after coming agonizingly close last year. In the 2023 Stanley Cup Final, the Panthers faced defeat at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights, who secured their first-ever title in five games.

The 2024 Stanley Cup Final now shifts to Edmonton for Game 6 at Rogers Place on Friday. The Panthers still lead the series 3-2, but Connor McDavid and Co. seem poised to tie the series on home ice.