On a steamy June evening in Sunrise, Florida, the Amerant Bank Arena was buzzing with more than just the electric tension of a Stanley Cup Final Game 4 showdown. Pop icon Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce made a high-profile appearance at the nail-biting clash between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers, adding star power to an already thrilling series.
The game itself was a rollercoaster of emotions and momentum swings, perfectly mirroring the high stakes of this heated rematch from last year’s Stanley Cup Final. The Panthers, defending champions, came out blazing, scoring three goals in less than ten minutes during the first period, with star forward Matthew Tkachuk netting two of those early strikes. Swift, dressed in all white, watched intently as the Panthers surged ahead, the arena echoing with the energy of her 2014 hit "Style" playing in the background.
Kelce, sporting an all-red ensemble complete with a hat, blended seamlessly into the Panthers’ home crowd, though it remained a mystery which team the couple was rooting for. Notably, Kelce is a known hockey fan and a Chicago Blackhawks supporter, having expressed in 2023 his interest in playing net for the Blackhawks. His connection to the hockey world runs deeper, with friendships including Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk, whom he and his brother Jason hosted on their "New Heights" podcast earlier this year. The two tight ends have been seen socializing together, further fueling intrigue about Kelce’s hockey affiliations.
Meanwhile, Swift’s ties to the NHL are highlighted by her friendship with Oilers winger Jeff Skinner, who famously gifted her an autographed sweater during her "The Red Tour" in 2013. Skinner recently recounted the amusing mix-up where Swift thought she was supposed to sign the jersey, while he had already signed it for her — a charming anecdote that underscores the pop star’s genuine connection to the sport.
The couple arrived in style, with a helicopter landing near the arena shortly before puck drop. The VIP entrance and elevators to the press box were closed off to the public, ensuring a discreet arrival for the high-profile duo. Their presence was part of a star-studded crowd that included hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and former Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor, who energized the crowd by banging a drum before the game. The Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo and Udonis Haslem had similarly fired up fans earlier in the series.
The game itself was a showcase of resilience and dramatic shifts. After Florida’s dominant first period, the Oilers responded decisively by pulling their starting goaltender Stuart Skinner—who, interestingly, is a Swift fan himself—and replacing him with Calvin Pickard at the start of the second period. Edmonton surged back with three goals of their own in the second stanza, leveling the score at 3-3 and setting the stage for a tense finish.
As the third period unfolded, both teams battled fiercely for a lead. Oilers defenseman Jake Walman broke the deadlock with under six minutes remaining, sliding a shot past Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky to put Edmonton ahead. But the Panthers were far from done. Sam Reinhart, who had already contributed two assists, scored a crucial equalizer with just 19.5 seconds left on the clock, sending the game into overtime and sending fans into a frenzy.
The overtime period was a heart-stopper. The Oilers nearly clinched victory early on, with the puck rattling the post during a frantic scramble. Nearly seven minutes in, Panthers forward Sam Bennett came close to ending it with a shot that hit the crossbar. Moments later, Florida center Eetu Luostarinen’s attempt was brilliantly denied by Pickard, keeping the Oilers alive.
Then, near the halfway mark of overtime, Leon Draisaitl—the Oilers’ star forward—delivered once again. His second overtime goal of the series sealed a dramatic 5-4 victory for Edmonton, tying the Stanley Cup Final series at 2-2. This clutch performance from Draisaitl not only electrified the Oilers’ faithful but also underscored his pivotal role in this intense series.
With the series now even, the battle shifts back to Edmonton for Game 5 on June 15, before returning to Sunrise for Game 6 on June 18. Whether Swift and Kelce will grace the arena again remains to be seen, but their presence Thursday certainly added an extra layer of excitement to this already captivating hockey saga.
This Stanley Cup Final has lived up to its billing, with three of the four games going into overtime and both teams exhibiting relentless determination. The Panthers, who held a 2-1 series lead entering Game 4, now face a renewed Oilers squad hungry to reclaim the championship. Fans can expect more high-octane action as the series progresses, with every game promising to be a battle for the ages.
