The Stanley Cup Final may be headed back to Edmonton, but Florida Panthers fans got to see their team put up a much bigger fight in Game 5 than the previous contest.

And while Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise was packed Tuesday night with Panthers fans cheering on the comeback rally that fell short in the 5-3 loss, so were local bars and restaurants.

Panthers fans flocked to downtown West Palm Beach's O’Shea's Irish Pub, home to the “jumbotron” and part of the Panthers’ Cats on Tap for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Oilers.

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One fan pronounced undying love for the Panthers despite having been introduced to the team just three weeks ago. Others expressed hope to see the Panthers win their first title after being fans since the team's entry into the National Hockey League in 1993.

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What was once a chance at a 4-0 sweep seems so long ago for Panthers hockey, but fans haven't given up hope. After all, their team still leads the best-of-seven series 3-2.

"Being a fan requires faith," Aramas Kaloustian said after the first period of Tuesday's Game 5. "No matter how much we're down, and no matter what the situation is."

But fans watched their team go from being nearly unstoppable in the first three games of this series to suddenly very pedestrian in a Game 4 letdown. Those struggles continued when the Oilers jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a short-handed goal by Connor Brown in Game 5.

Bryan Vick, who came decked out in a Florida Panthers jersey custom-made with his name — and sons Liam and Rylan in tow — stayed level-headed and confident, even after watching Florida's offense sputtering as the first period drew to a close.

"We traditionally don't play great in the first period," he said. "We dominate the second and third. We don't like to do a sweep. We'll take it in five or we'll take it in six, but we're going to take it. I'm fully confident we're the better team and we're going to win it."

One had to wonder if that faith was waning with Edmonton firmly in control, adding to their lead with goals by Zach Hyman and Connor McDavid in the second period.

But as goals by Matthew Tkachuk and Evan Rodrigues breathed life into the Panthers' offense, so, too, did the burst of offense breathe life into Palm Beach County fans, eliciting a loud round of cheers from the local audience at O'Shea's.

And though the Panthers lost, the rally had fans feeling much more hopeful than before.

"I'm just so excited for the Panthers," Lynn Ivan said. "I'm just so excited for the Panthers because it's their turn. This is their year. I know that they can."

The atmosphere surrounding Games 4 and 5 was decidedly different. Though the Panthers lost, fans were relieved at the offense's recovery in the later stages of the game on Tuesday.

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"It was a little bit scary after the 8-1 loss, but I think we showed that we can come back today," Edward Torgas said. "It was a close game. We had a lot of good looks at the end. We couldn't close, but I'm feeling good."

Game 6 will be played in Edmonton on Friday at 8 p.m. A Game 7 — if needed — would be played in Sunrise on Monday night.

STANLEY CUP FINAL

Panthers at Oilers, Game 6 (Florida leads 3-2)

Friday, 8 p.m., ABC

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida Panthers fans aren't losing hope despite loss to Edmonton Oilers