FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Brad Marchand is setting the record straight: The Florida Panthers forward was enjoying a spoonful of honey — not ice cream — between periods of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.
And with that, the investigation into Blizzardgate is now closed.
Marchand went viral on Saturday after telling Sportsnet reporter Kyle Bukauskas that he was having a Blizzard from Dairy Queen between the second and third periods of Florida's game against the Carolina Hurricanes. There was video of Marchand using a spoon to eat something during that intermission, which prompted the question.
It sparked a creamy, delicious controversy, one that Marchand put to rest on Monday.
“It was honey. I was having honey," Marchand said after Florida's morning skate. "It was a spoonful of honey.”
Sorry, DQ. The claim that the snack was a Blizzard was frozen fib. But Marchand's love of Blizzards apparently is real.
“The amount of messages I got about people going to Dairy Queen yesterday, I appreciate the support,” Marchand said. “I love a good Blizzard, more than anybody. But it's not something I've had in the middle of a game — yet. Yet. Yet.”
The Panthers suspected that Marchand was using a bit of succulent sarcasm.
“I know he said it,” coach Paul Maurice said. “I'm just not sure that makes it a fact.”
The sugary story started to hit the spot soon after the game, and there was a good reason. The Panthers had gotten some notoriety for visiting a Dairy Queen last week on an off day in North Carolina — one was near the hotel where Florida was staying for Games 1 and 2 against the Hurricanes, and a fan's social media posts about seeing the Panthers having some sweet treats went viral.
It was logical for Bukauskas to ask if Marchand was still getting his dessert fix in Game 3.
“No chance you were fueling with a Blizzard there, were you?” Bukauskas asked during the Saturday night exchange.
“Yeah, that's a little chocolate chip cookie dough Blizzard right there,” Marchand replied.
Now, there is a Dairy Queen about 2.4 miles away from the Panthers' home arena — and it was still open when the game was in its second intermission Saturday. So, is it possible that ice cream could have been sent to the arena? Yes.
But did it happen? No. The Panthers, like all teams, have a slew of high-protein or energy-giving snacks available for refueling between periods. And Marchand has always had an affinity for honey.
“I’ve always loved honey," Marchand said. “Actually, when I was growing up, I loved Winnie the Pooh. I used to have Winnie the Pooh, but I would feed him — the bear — honey, so it was covered and rock hard.”
His parents didn't love that aspect of his childhood in Nova Scotia.
“I don’t think they enjoyed cleaning up a mess, but yeah, I had fun," Marchand said. "That's what we do in Halifax. We feed teddy bears honey.”
There were hints on Sunday that the Blizzard story was melting. Maurice didn't debunk the story — but cast some doubt on it.
“There are cameras everywhere, man. We can't get away with anything anymore,” Maurice said. “But that would be a good story.”
As it turns out, Marchand may have had a bit of a motive for telling Bukauskas that it was a Blizzard. The TV-savvy Marchand looked directly into the camera afterward — and hinted he might want to add a DQ sponsorship to his endorsement portfolio.
“You can't beat it. It's the best dessert in the world,” Marchand said. “So, I better get a lifetime free supply of Dairy Queen now. Thank you, fellas.”
It should be noted that what Marchand ate between periods worked. He scored a goal in the third period, a few minutes after the snack — part of a five-goal, um, blizzard by the Panthers that sealed Saturday's win.
AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Florida Panthers center Brad Marchand (63) reacts after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Florida Panthers' Brad Marchand (63) reacts after scoring a goal against Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov (52) during the third period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
HAMBURG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 22, 2025--
XCharge is cooperating in testing with EnBW on their fast-charging-network, the EnBW HyperNet in Germany. Since August 2025, EnBW has deployed one charger to complement a location near Stuttgart. Now, an important step in the collaboration was made and a field test with 10 charging stations at four different locations has started. The test includes two XCharge units at EnBW’s site in EnBW City in Stuttgart and three other sites; Rutesheim, Karlsruhe (Durlach Center), and Karlsruhe central train station.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251222014170/en/
EnBW operates Germany’s largest high-power charging network with over 8,000 fast-charging points. EnBW is continuously testing hardware and software solutions for fast charging, including products from XCharge.
Over the past year, EnBW has conducted lab and field trials of XCharge’s technology. The initial results have been promising: “ XCharge has shown good capability across technology, service, data protection, and software, and has met our requirements throughout the evaluation process,” explains Volker Rimpler, Chief Technology Officer E-Mobility at EnBW. “ We have analyzed several thousand charging processes in the laboratory and continuously developed the hardware and software based on this.”
From XCharge’s perspective, the collaboration represents a major milestone. Albina Iljasov, Head of Europe at XCharge states: “ Germany remains a key market for us, and we continue to expand our presence here. Working with EnBW, the largest Charge Point Operator in Germany, demonstrates that our technology meets the high standards of the country’s leading fast-charging network. This collaboration in the current testing phase allows us to contribute to the further development and expansion of reliable high-power charging infrastructure in Germany.”
Technical strengths of XCharge chargers
The chargers under test rely on XCharge’s advanced DC fast-charging technology. The C7 Ultra-Fast Charger delivers up to 400 kW at a maximum of 600 A, enabling shorter charging times. It features dual CCS connectors, a user-friendly touchscreen interface, and a compact, modular design that simplifies installation and maintenance. Optional liquid- or air-cooled cables allow flexible operation under high load, while legal-for-billing certification ensures compliance with measurement regulations in public networks.
With dual headquarters in Hamburg and Texas, XCharge sees this testing cooperation with Germany’s leading energy provider as an important step. The strong performance of C7 chargers in EnBW’s evaluations confirms their suitability for reliable, high-quality applications that meet European requirements and support the expansion of the charging infrastructure.
E-mobility at EnBW
With over 30,000 employees, EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG is one of the largest energy companies in Germany and Europe, supplying around 5.5 million customers with electricity, gas, and water, as well as energy solutions and energy management services. In the field of e-mobility, EnBW has developed into a market leader in recent years and, as a full-service provider, covers the entire spectrum with its subsidiaries: from electricity generation from renewable energy sources to the construction, expansion, and operation of charging infrastructure to digital solutions for consumers. Netze BW, an independent EnBW subsidiary, also ensures the safe operation of distribution networks. As one of the German market leaders for home storage and photovoltaic systems, the company also combines solar, storage, and electricity cloud solutions with electric mobility offerings to create a complete energy ecosystem for its customers.
The EnBW HyperNet® offers drivers access to more than 900,000 charging points in Europe. The EnBW mobility+ app always finds the nearest charging option wherever you are. Drivers can also pay conveniently and contactless via the app. After a one-time registration, customers can simply connect their vehicle to most of EnBW's own fast charging points and start charging right away. Transparent prices per kilowatt hour apply at all charging points in the EnBW HyperNet.
The energy company operates Germany's largest fast-charging network and is consistently expanding the EnBW HyperNet in line with demand. Through the SMATRICS EnBW joint venture, it also operates the largest fast-charging network in Austria and is vigorously expanding the nationwide charging infrastructure there as well.
About XCharge
XCharge (NASDAQ: XCH), founded in 2015, is an integrated EV charging and energy solutions company. With dual headquarters in Hamburg, Germany and Austin, Texas, the Company offers comprehensive EV charging solutions, which primarily include the DC fast chargers and the advanced battery-integrated DC fast chargers as well as its accompanying services. Through the combination of XCharge’s proprietary charging technology, energy storage system technology and accompanying services, the Company enhances EV charging efficiency and unlocks the value of energy storage and management. Committed to providing innovative and efficient EV charging solutions, XCharge is actively working toward establishing a global green future that is critical to long-term growth and development.
About XCharge Europe GmbH
XCharge Europe GmbH is a provider of high-power and battery-integrated charging solutions. Headquartered in Hamburg since 2017, XCharge Europe GmbH supports industry leaders with innovative charging solutions and reliable after-sales service. With the addition of a new test lab in Hamburg in 2024, alongside the new Madrid technical center, XCharge Europe GmbH reinforces its commitment to the European market, enabling rigorous product testing, tailored solutions, and the advancement of e-mobility across the region.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Such statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements regarding the company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and various factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "objective," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to," or other similar expressions. For further information about these and other risks, uncertainties, or factors, please refer to XCHG Limited's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release speaks as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such information, except as required by applicable law.
Source: EnBW
