BREAKING NEWS: Florida Panthers Suspended Indefinitely Due to Unprecedented Iguana Invasion at Aren
In an absolutely bizarre turn of events, the NHL has announced the indefinite suspension of the Florida Panthers following an unprecedented iguana invasion at Amerant Bank Arena.
Sources confirm that just hours before puck drop for what was to be a pivotal preseason game, thousands of iguanas stormed the ice in what local officials are calling a “cold-blooded protest.” Witnesses described the scene as “Jurassic Park meets the Stanley Cup Playoffs.”
According to initial reports, the reptiles accessed the arena through ventilation shafts and service tunnels, drawn in by the recent cold snap in South Florida that made the ice rink an attractive hibernation site. Once inside, the iguanas disrupted team practices, gnawed through skate laces, and even reportedly attacked the team mascot, Stanley C. Panther.
“It was total chaos,” said head coach Paul Maurice. “We had defensemen slipping on lizards, our goalie locked himself in the locker room, and one of the iguanas chewed through the net.”
The NHL released a statement early Monday morning:
“Due to safety concerns for players, staff, and reptiles alike, the Florida Panthers will be suspended until further notice. We are working closely with wildlife officials and pest control specialists to resolve the situation.”
Animal control experts have already begun relocating the iguanas to a nearby wildlife sanctuary, but sources say many of them are refusing to leave, citing the arena’s “excellent lighting and low humidity.”
Fans are understandably shocked.
“I just wanted to see Barkov play. I didn’t expect to see Godzilla’s cousins instead,” said one season ticket holder, holding a half-eaten hot dog.
While the Panthers have not commented publicly, insiders say the team is exploring temporary relocation to a lizard-free facility—possibly in Minnesota.
