Jake Walman’s ‘You Think I’m Scared?’ Goal Celebration Ignites Internet After Hilarious Meme Moment to Start Stanley Cup Finals

The puck had barely dropped to open the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals when Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jake Walman gave hockey fans—and the internet—a moment they won’t soon forget. It wasn’t just that Walman scored a goal in the first period to give the Oilers early momentum against the Florida Panthers. It was how he celebrated it that turned an already thrilling moment into one of the most meme-worthy highlights in recent playoff memory.

Walman, known more for his defensive acumen than goal scoring, unleashed a perfectly placed wrist shot from the point midway through the first period that beat Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky high glove-side. The crowd at Rogers Place erupted in a sea of blue and orange, but it was what Walman did next that had everyone talking long after the first intermission: as he skated away from the net, he turned to the nearest ice-level camera, smirked, and mouthed the words, “You think I’m scared?”

The clip, replayed dozens of times on broadcast and quickly clipped for social media, instantly went viral. In less than an hour, it was trending across platforms, shared by fans, NHL team accounts, and even personalities from outside the sports world. By the end of the night, it had evolved into a full-blown meme—photoshopped into everything from horror movie posters to political parodies. Jake Walman, a veteran blue-liner who had quietly gone about his business during the Oilers’ postseason run, was suddenly the face of hockey’s internet culture.

This wasn’t some spur-of-the-moment fluke, either. When asked about it during the postgame press conference, Walman grinned and leaned into the mic. “I saw the camera, saw the chance,” he said. “I had that one in the chamber. We’re not here to be scared. We’re here to win.”

It was a confident—some would say brash—statement from a player who had flown under the radar for most of his career. Drafted in 2014 and spending time with multiple organizations before landing in Edmonton last summer, Walman had primarily been viewed as a reliable third-pair defenseman with occasional offensive upside. But during these playoffs, he’s taken his game to another level, often skating alongside top Oilers blueliner Evan Bouchard and handling big minutes against elite competition. Now, with one moment of personality and perfect timing, he’d made himself a household name.

The goal itself came at a crucial time in the game, breaking a 0–0 stalemate and setting the tone for what would become a 4–2 Oilers win in Game 1. But as important as the score was, it’s Walman’s celebration that may have an even bigger impact—psychologically, culturally, and even strategically—as this series unfolds.

The Panthers, known for their physicality and mental gamesmanship, now face a team that isn’t just matching their confidence, but laughing in its face. “You think I’m scared?” isn’t just a line—it’s a message. It’s a taunt. And it’s now forever tied to Walman and the Oilers’ effort to finally bring the Stanley Cup back to Edmonton for the first time since 1990.

Teammates were quick to get in on the fun. Connor McDavid, who had a goal and two assists in the game, smiled when asked about Walman’s celebration. “Jake’s a beauty,” McDavid said. “That’s a guy playing with swagger. We love it. You need that kind of energy in the room. It lifts everyone.”

Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch echoed the sentiment but kept it measured. “We’re focused on the series,” he said. “Jake’s a passionate player. He brings emotion. That was a big goal, and he earned the right to enjoy it.”

On the Florida side, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice dismissed the incident as “noise,” but it was clear the moment had gotten under some skins. Several Panthers players reportedly chirped Walman throughout the game, and a couple of scuffles near the benches in the second period hinted at the tension bubbling beneath the surface.

In the days leading up to Game 1, much of the talk had centered around how Florida’s forecheck would wear down Edmonton’s defense, how Bobrovsky would stifle the Oilers’ offensive firepower, and how the Panthers’ experience in last year’s Stanley Cup Final would give them an edge. Walman’s early goal and theatrical celebration flipped that narrative on its head.

Suddenly, the Oilers looked like the aggressors, the team with more swagger, more speed, and—at least for one night—more composure under pressure. While the game was still close into the third period, Walman’s goal lingered in the background like a permanent watermark on everything that happened next. Each time the Panthers tried to mount a comeback, it seemed the Oilers had a response, capped off by a shorthanded dagger from Leon Draisaitl to seal the win late in the third.

But again, it was Walman who stole the spotlight, and in today’s NHL—where branding, personality, and virality matter more than ever—that might be just as valuable as a game-winning goal. Within an hour of the final horn, major sports networks were looping the “You think I’m scared?” clip on repeat. Memes poured in featuring Walman in gladiator armor, standing in front of a bear, and even photoshopped into iconic movie scenes like Braveheart and Rocky. ESPN analyst P.K. Subban, himself no stranger to bold personality, called it “an all-time great hockey moment” and praised Walman for “bringing fun and fire back to the game.”

That praise didn’t stop there. Even other NHL players, including those not in the Final, jumped into the fray. Toronto’s Auston Matthews posted a story with the meme and the caption “Legend.” Nashville’s Roman Josi posted, “Respect to the man with the message.” By midnight, “Walman” was trending higher than “Stanley Cup” in Canada.

Of course, all this attention brings pressure, and Walman knows it. The Oilers still need three more wins to hoist the Cup, and the Panthers aren’t going away quietly. Game 2 promises to be even more physical, and Walman will likely have a target on his back. Whether that translates to extra attention from Florida’s forwards or an even more intense crowd dynamic remains to be seen.

But Walman doesn’t seem worried. And that, perhaps, is what makes the meme moment so powerful. It wasn’t just a line for the camera—it was a genuine reflection of how he and this Oilers team are feeling. They’ve battled through adversity all season, weathered criticism about their depth and goaltending, and now they’re three wins from glory. “You think I’m scared?” isn’t just viral fodder. It’s a mission statement.

As hockey continues to evolve with new audiences and changing expectations, moments like Walman’s matter. They humanize the sport, give fans an emotional hook, and help grow the game in ways that stats and systems alone cannot. It’s not every day that a defensive defenseman becomes a meme king, but when it happens—especially on the grandest stage of all—it’s unforgettable.

So here’s to Jake Walman, the unlikeliest internet star of the Stanley Cup Finals. He may not win the Conn Smythe, and he might not score another goal in the series. But his impact is already felt, and his message is already immortal. In a game that prides itself on stoicism and tradition, one smirk, one goal, and one perfectly timed quote changed everything.

And if you think that was the last meme he has in store—well, as Jake Walman might say, “You think I’m scared?”