Congrats to the Tampa Bay Lightning on winning the 2020 Stanley Cup, seen here hoisted by Captain Steven Stamkos! The team's nickname is "The Bolts" and their fans are called "The Thunder." Now, because of Covid-19 restrictions, their fans call themselves "The Distant Thunder," LOL! I thought their revision was quite clever, all things considered.
My Rare One and I watched the entire Western Conference playoffs and the Stanley Cup Finals held here in our own Bubble City of Edmonton. It was so great to see live hockey on TV again!
Despite no fans being present because of the coronavirus and all the seats covered with tarps, the broadcast crew did an outstanding job of creating game excitement by the use of electronic graphics, simulated crowd noise and cheering, and standard musical clips usually heard at games. The only thing missing was the sound of booing for bad referee calls and for NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman when he presented the Stanley Cup. Those traditions will just have to wait for the return of fans in the future!
I know the NHL hands out its own player awards, but here are MY AWARDS from the playoffs --
The "I Have a Thing for Goalies" Best Player Award:
Anton Khudobin (Russia), Dallas Stars.
Thatcher Demko (USA), Vancouver Canucks
The "I Love a Guy With a Big Schnozz" Award:
Milan Lucic (British Columbia), Calgary Flames
The "Best Rockin' Hockey Hair" Award:
Mark Stone (Manitoba), Vegas Golden Knights
Oh wait, here's an even better photo of him in a fight with his helmet off! Hard to tell if that's blood on his forehead or just plastered-down sweaty hair but either way, outstanding work!
Ohhh I love that you like hockey!
ReplyDeleteWell, Duh. Canada. But also, it's such an underappreciated sport. I find it difficult to watch because I'm always afraid they're gonna be hurt. But oh, those butch hockey players...
XOXO
Distant Thunder! I like it ...and some hot hockey guys like that Big Schnozz Guy.
ReplyDeletemy hockey team never made it to the playoffs. all 4 of my city's sports teams are suck ass losers.
ReplyDeleteI like the guy in the first pix.
it was such a weird season!
ReplyDeleteMeh. But I'm sincerely glad you and Rare One enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a hockey fan, but I enjoyed your awards. That nose...it's been hit a time or two, no?
ReplyDeleteI love your categories! Sports have been ... different ... this year. I'm glad they managed to have a season and a championship, though. I wasn't rooting for either team, but I almost always root against Tejas, so, yay Bolts!
ReplyDelete(Also, my Edmontonian neighbors texted me and said, 'Wish you were here watching the Cup with us! Me too!)
The St. Louis Blues won it last year. Pat Maroon (a St. Louisan) was on the team. He went to Tampa Bay this year. After the Blues were eliminated everyone here was cheering for Tam... Pat Maroon.
ReplyDeleteWell thank god you had the accompanying pictures included. For a minute I thought when you win a huge cup, it was a prize for drinking...and was thinking I could probably win that!!! But I see it's some kind of sport with sticks. Intresting.
ReplyDeleteYour awards are the best!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could say that I knew anything about hockey. Speaking of awards, Schitts Creek swept our US TV awards this year & deservedly so!
ReplyDeleteThat's a really, really big cup.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Tampa.
Fun stuff, Debra. Thank you.
What happened to the Awards for "The Guy Who Lost The Most Teeth" or "The Player Who Left The Most Blood On The Ice"? Hockey just isn't as good as it once was... LOL!
ReplyDeleteI have not watched hockey in a long time. I am Glad to see then finishing the season though. I remember when various leagues were canceling play back in March. This events if the Spring seemed so ominous.
ReplyDelete@ Tundra Bunny -- You mean the "Chiclets in Red Sauce" Award? Wasn't given out this year, but I'll keep my eyes peeled for next season!
ReplyDeleteI stopped following hockey along time ago. I just wish the Habs would win from time to time.
ReplyDeleteSuper good hair. I'm not much of an expert on goalies or hockey wins.
ReplyDeleteNever saw a goalie play so far out of the crease like Khudobin. Really like him but he seems out of position sometimes going post to post. My boys were on a first name basis with Tyler Seguin when he played junior hockey here and we were season ticket holders so they always root for Dallas. Camano on Dallas also played for the team.
ReplyDelete@ Contrary Guy -- Yes, Khudobin's wandering ways gave My Rare One a few heart attacks too. Very cool that your sons know Tyler Seguin! Makes it extra interesting to follow his career!
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing you're Canadian ~ LOL!
ReplyDeleteThe distant thunder - that is brilliant.
ReplyDeletewell, I was pulling for Dallas (Stephen Johns anyway) but yeah sad hockey is over! and Congrats to the Bolts
ReplyDeleteooh, rather like Mark Stone myself.
ReplyDeleteSports has gotten very strange..Annoying that we have baseball on TV all afternoon...football would be O K..
ReplyDeleteThings are all messed up..Canada not in the playoffs this year or was this a different league..I haven't been able to keep anything straight this year..Glad you got to see the game..
Oops....I guess the Stanley cup is the Stanley Cup...Duh
ReplyDeletemy father loved hockey when anyone else did (well hardly)
ReplyDeletethanks to him i will remember few names form national team lol
i felt for players who had no spectators ,that hurts for sure
very enjoyable post Debra :)
My brother watched the entire playoffs too!
ReplyDelete