As the countdown ticks down to just mere hours before puck drop of the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals between the Bruins and Blackhawks, I encourage you to soak in all the friendly media coverage you can. The witty, and overly respectful banter, each team gushing about the others ability to lock down on defense and one another's explosive offensive threats. This gentlemanly display is a brief prelude to the nastiness that will surely come. I will admit, as part time admirer of the Chicago Blackhawks franchise over the past few years, it pains me to say this, but, no matter what, you will end up hating many of these Blackhawks. And if you are unable to put aside your Black-and-Gold Fandom and view the game as an unbiased observer, you may well end up despising them all.
This is not at all to say that Chicago is exceptionally dirty, or whiny, or entitled. It is that they are good. And not only are they good, they are alot like the Bruins, tenacious, gritty, tough, fast, physical and fun to watch. During the regular season you can watch the Blackhawks and enjoy them and the way they play the game. Afterall they are separated from you by 4 states, a giant lake and a Western Conference. But as they say, "Familiarity Breeds Contempt", and I dont care how much you like another team during the regular season, a seven game series will make you hate them. Its only natural. You will hate their captain, their goals, their hits, their stupid celebrations, their trainer, and their faces. So on that note, lets take a look at the faces that will surely rile you up and make you scream obscenities at your television as they menacingly grin after a questionable hit, or smile ear to ear after a, likely, "lucky"goal.
 |
#88 Patrick 'Hattrick' Kane - Oh really, a Mullet? Ya Cool Bro, Jagr rocked that times 10 and put it to sleep before you even tried on a pair of skates. Kane's a Certified Dangler, Better hope he doesn't score, Dude's cellies will drive you nuts.
|
 |
| #36 Dave Bolland - Dude is a rat, but exactly the type of rat you want on your team. Drives opponents nuts and can take stars completely off their game just ask Vancouver and the Sedin sisters. Prepare to be infuriated by this guy, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if he is the first Blackhawks face you begin to hate. |
 |
| #65 Andrew Shaw - Has been dubbed Marchand 2.0 or at least a clone. Self-admittedly isn't quite on Marchy's level but this diminutive winger is as gritty as they come. Not afraid to stick his nose in anywhere and has big expectations to fill an agitator role in this series. |
 |
| #29 - Brian Bickell - No Teeth, No Fear, No Mercy. A large human who plays on the edge. A poor man's Milan Lucic if you will. Bickell is as hot as anyone in these playoffs. I fully expect he and Chara to become familiar with one another throughout the series. |
 |
| #26 Michal Handzus - The picture kind of says it all no? Part Carrot Top, Part side show Mel. Handzus is actually probably a nice guy, but odds are we will not grow to love this guy's mug especially if he is playing with Kane and Bickell. | | | | | | | | |
So there you have it, beware of these 5 mugs that may drive you nuts the next two weeks in what should be a highly enjoyabe series. "Hating" the opposition is part of what makes sports fun, all we have to do is sit back, appreciate the great hockey that will be played and enjoy the characters, both the villains and the heroes, as they unfold.
Plus, it may provide more inspiration for creative comparisons like this:
 |
| #19 Jonathan Toews - I am actually a big Toews fan, but hen he was shut down vs Detroit in the semi-finals, he behaved like a spoiled brat. In this case I would love to see the Bruins frustrate and bring out the gumpy side of "Captain Serious" once again. |
No comments:
Post a Comment