Can we just get some NHL please?
In Canucks country, October 31st is an opportunity to fans to show their pride while embracing the spirit of Hallows’ Eve.
Athletes, mascots, cult heroes and occasionally entire teams have appeared at front doors and Halloween parties across the country, celebrating the sport this country adores at an almost irresponsible level.
Unfortunately hockey hasn’t had much of a chance to show its Halloween spirit this season. After a pair of “pre-Halloween” parties this past weekend, it has become quite clear that fans have locked up their trunk full of hockey-related costumes for the season.
With little desire to hollow out a pumpkin in the name of a hockey team, and without any games to schedule Halloween shenanigans around, fans have been forced to blend the two cultures together in unique ways.
https://twitter.com/TheStanchion/status/262940113229737984
The lack of hockey in late October has been so bad that fans are now imagining classic Halloween characters into fond Canucks memories.
From my perspective the hockey community has mostly scoffed at what was once an open opportunity to salute your favourite on-ice hero.
Kassian in a hot dog suit. #EPIC (Photo: stownx.tumblr.com)
Granted, a few witty creations of locked-out creatures are sure to be run rampant Wednesday night, and greedy Gary Bettman could still be on the loose, but the celebration just isn’t the same.
Thanks to Sean McIndoe fans have Gary Bettman’s Halloween party to cheer them up, and Zack Kassian looks hilarious in a hotdog suit, but the end of October just doesn’t feel the same to me this season.
Here’s hoping Halloween is one of the last significant dates on the calendar to pass by before NHL hockey returns.
Luongo in lockout limbo
Roberto Luongo’s future may be slightly out of his control at the moment, but the hockey player by profession has adapted to enjoy his free time during the lockout.
Luongo has been playing on the World Series of Poker at the River Rock Casino during his spare time after first taking poker seriously during the lockout several years ago.
As Mike Gillis tries to find a way to deal Luongo’s controversial contract the goaltender himself has focused on playing the man opposite his cards, taking what the dealer gives him in an attempt to stay sharp until hockey comes calling.
“When the time comes and I do get a phone call from Mike [Gillis] or whoever it may be, we’ll make some decisions. For right now, I really want to stay focus on training hard and being ready to play when the time comes.”
I’ll add a deck of cards to my lockout survival kit.
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About Kevin Vanstone
