Hockey Taught by Our Favorite Canadians
It seems like everyone has been talking about the Stanley Cup lately. And no, they don't mean the colorful tumbler; they're talking about the conclusion of the hockey playoffs. Here's everything you need to know to watch the finals, explained by our favorite Canadians.
Getty Images
Sk8er Bois
When Avril Lavigne said, "Skater boy rockin' up MTV," she wasn't talking about professional hockey players—but that doesn't change the fact that these skater boys are appearing on ESPN and other sports networks. The fact that these players can move forward (and backward) at roughly ten mph makes them the ultimate sk8er bois in my eyes.
As this song is timeless and essential in any music collection, let's delve into some key information to enhance your viewing experience. The primary aim of hockey is to skillfully maneuver the puck along the ice using hockey sticks and ultimately score by getting it into the net. Each successful goal adds one point to the team's score. Hockey matches consist of three periods, each lasting 20 minutes. Typically, a team has five players and one goalie on the ice at any given time.
Side note: Avril Lavigne played high school hockey, which makes her a true sk8er girl.
Entertainment Weekly
"My Heart Will Go On"
I have a strong feeling that when Céline Dion dreams, she doesn't envision herself holding or celebrating the Stanley Cup. However, for the 32 teams in the NHL, clinching the Stanley Cup is the ultimate aspiration. Achieving this requires navigating through 82 regular season games and potentially 28 postseason games. For the 31 teams that fall short, their hearts will go on and strive to win again in the following year. This year, the highly anticipated Stanley Cup finals will see the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers clash with each other. The excitement will kick off on Saturday at 8:00 PM EST on ABC.
Getty Images
Mean Girls
When Rachel McAdams' character, Regina George, delivered the iconic line "stop trying to make fetch happen" in the movie Mean Girls, the last thing she probably envisioned was hockey. However, in the all-action world of the NHL, sometimes the only way to make "fetch" happen is to take on the tough and aggressive persona of a Mean Girls character and get into a fight. For those familiar with hockey, the sport is renowned for its physical nature and the prevalence of on-ice combat. Unlike many other sports, the NHL tolerates a degree of fighting, and not every altercation results in punishment. It's important to note that players are prohibited from using their sticks during fights and must remove their gloves before engaging in fistfights.
ESPN
"Is it too late now to say sorry?"
Speaking of penalties... I assume every hockey player says these words from Justin Bieber as they make their way to the penalty box. In hockey, when a player commits an infraction, they are required to spend 2-5 minutes in the penalty box, referred to as the "sin bin" by hockey fans. This puts their team at a disadvantage, with fewer players on the ice. The opposing team then has what is known as a power play with a numerical advantage. Penalty shots, where a player gets a chance to score unopposed, do occur but are less common than power plays in hockey. It's too bad these players can't say sorry and "get one more shot at forgiveness."
Now that you have learned some hockey basics, you are ready to enjoy the Stanley Cup finals. It's even better if you do this while sipping from your very own Stanley Cup.