If you ever question how serious hockey fans are about their teams, look no further than this.
The Henrik Lundqvist foundation is about to get a sizable donation from some Florida Panther fans if the Rangers can beat the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday afternoon.
Taylor Craig is an associate producer for FOX Business Network and also happens to be a huge Panthers fan. Craig started the campaign on Twitter, pledging a donation of $140 to Mats Zuccarello originally. But a mid-fundraising switch occurred when Craig found out Lundqvist was starting and his organization was an easier donation process.
If the @NYRangers beat the @NHLFlyers tomorrow night and help out my cats, I will be donating $10 to @zuccarello36's charity that helps disadvantaged youth learn and appreciate the game of hockey.
Here's the link: https://t.co/8167lDvD7m
Any other #FlaPanthers fans with me? pic.twitter.com/rI5jCOBcEd
— Taylor Craig (@TaylorCraig) April 6, 2018
We are switching contributions to the Henrik Lunquivst Foundation! Up to $386 so far! And he'll be in net ? https://t.co/ztBKd1BNIp
— Taylor Craig (@TaylorCraig) April 6, 2018
From there, the power of social media took over as more and more fans decided to match totals and more people decided to jump in.
We are at $203 from Panther fan pledges! But when you count the #GoldieDouble we are up to $406!
These donations depend on a @nyrangers regulation win over the @nhlflyers! Strap em up Hank! pic.twitter.com/tLaHolgCJx
— Taylor Craig (@TaylorCraig) April 6, 2018
ONE PAGE FULL@HLundqvistFDN
RT if you see your name! pic.twitter.com/OpCmqfCF6q
— Taylor Craig (@TaylorCraig) April 6, 2018
Well, although Lundqvist and his big contract are past the stages of looking for bribes to win hockey games, this is an incredible gesture. All of the motivation for Lundqvist lies in the desire to beat the Flyers after ending the Rangers’ playoff hopes back in 2010.
Lundqvist, who is starting for #NYR tomorrow, said he remembered what happened in Philadelphia in 2010, when #Flyers eliminated them on last day of season. Now, Flyers need one point to make playoffs.
— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) April 6, 2018
Win or lose, hopefully some of these Panther fans decide to contribute as Lundqvist’s charity is for a great cause, “striving to create positive change in the lives of children and adults through education and health services”.
If this situation sounds familiar, something similar happened this fall as Andy Dalton of the Cincinnati Bengals tossed a game-winning touchdown in the final moments of a game against the Baltimore Ravens. With the Ravens’ loss, it paved the way for the Buffalo Bills to make the playoffs for the first time in 17 years.
Andy Dalton helped the Bills reach the postseason for the first time in 17 years.
Buffalo fans responded in kind, with more than 15,000 donors giving more than $350k to his charity to date. https://t.co/2w1ciWtldr
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 7, 2018
It is truly special to see social media being used in such a positive manner as typically, social media is used in such a negative way. So if Henrik Lundqvist didn’t have enough motivation to beat the Flyers for the heartbreak in 2010, he certainly now has more!
When #FlaPanthers fans keep donating to your foundation… but the pressure's on the king to deliver a regulation win pic.twitter.com/6xeJN3Zszv
— Taylor Craig (@TaylorCraig) April 6, 2018
