Hockey fans are always finding something to complain about. Whether it's about a potential suspendable hit or a missed offsides call, you can always tune in to ESPN NHL Network and hear a current controversial issue.
The newest argument is over a celebration done by rookie sensation Nail Yakupov. The first overall pick by Edmonton in last years draft was standing right next to the net down a goal in a game against the defending champions, the Los Angeles Kings. A shot ricocheted off of Jonathan Quick's leg pad and Yakupov batted the puck in out of mid air, tying the game and putting the Rexall Place in a frenzy with 4 seconds left on the game clock.
It was an unbelievable moment. Nail in the spotlight. Fans on their feet. Perfect.
The scene itself is incredible. But the issue that most people have is when they compare it to the vintage celebration by Theoren Fleury, former Calgary Flame.
The story goes as such. In the Campbell Conference Quarterfinals, the Edmonton Oilers were leading the Calgary Flames 3 games to 2 with game 6 in Edmonton. The game went into overtime when Theo Fleury finally put the game to rest ending it on a nice breakaway goal. But what is most memorable was his celebration.
Seems familiar, eh?
Now, in my opinion, the only reason people hate on young Yakupov over here is because they are too quick to compare the two scenarios. They are quick to compare the two games and their main argument is "scoring an overtime goal in an elimination game in the playoffs or scoring a goal in the third game of the regular season?"
I say the two are incomparable.
In Nail Yakupov's third game of his NHL career he scores a HUGE goal against the defending champions. This is Yakupov's second career goal and it is easily the biggest goal of his career so far (it's not saying much, yet, but it is true.)
Take a step back for a minute.
These Edmonton Oiler fans have had to put up with a lot the past few years. Three straight first overall draft picks because they've sucked for so many years straight. Now they're finally getting together a solid, young team but they still have to go through a lot of growing pains that tends to take place with these types of systems.
Now look at that goal by Yakupov again. This win showed the potential of this young team. Battling it out with the defending champs all night, even getting a goal called off with over a minute left in the contest, and then having your most recent first overall draft pick, a major sign of potential for this team, score to tie the game with seconds left in the game.
Just seeing that young player, with Rexall Place spotlight down on him, as he slides on his knee, alone, across centre ice. That was a special moment for him, the team, the fans, and the league.
The reaction from different teams were mostly the same (obviously with the exception of Kings players who were upset with it). Even Theo Fleury himself tweeted that he approved and was happy for the kid.
But this is a good intro to my personal top 10 goal celebrations.
10. Zigmund Palffy
Especially with the You Can Play movement that's been getting all this attention I felt it was right to kick off this countdown with a classic moment from Islanders history. This celebration DID fit with their jerseys that night though...
9. Mike Bossy
That was a little insensitive to Islander fans so I'll give them a more magical moment. Mike Bossy's fiftieth goal in fifty games was celebrated with a memorable celebration, one that will bring goosebumps to any fan from the Island.
8. Alex Burrows
Hockey players love to compete. So when Alex Burrows ended the incredible 23 home winning streak by Detroit in the shootout, it was cool to see how he took appreciation in the fact that he was the one who ended it, as simbolized when he "snapped the streak" over his knee.
7. Nick Foligno
This one might need some background.
Nick's father, Mike, celebrated his goals back in his time in the NHL by leaping up in the air. Seeing Nick do it after his first goal was pretty cool to see and had a nostalgic feel to it. Oh and by the way, brother Marcus Foligno followed suit by doing the same thing after his first career tally.
6. Alex Ovechkin
Let's face it. Ovechkin has a knack for exciting celebrations. But this one was pretty cool after notching his 50 goal season, showing that his stick was on fire in both senses of the word. Clever chap.
5. Milan Hejduk
After a beautiful move and shot, Hejduk kind of just goes into some weird dive and swim thing at centre ice after the OT finisher. I'm sure somewhere Hejduk has an explanation for what inspired but I'm not really sure that I want to hear it. It's kind of perfect as is.
4. Gabriel Landeskog
In what has come to be known as "Landeskoging", this celly displays everything there is to love about hockey. The emotion, the enjoyment, the adorableness. All of it. In Landeskog's first season in the league, he proved a lot and this goal late in the season was a huge highlight for him.
3. Theoren Fleury
As I said above, this goal was huge and Fleury celebrated it the right way, propelling down the ice, zooming by all of his teammates in front of a stone-faced Edmonton arena. Gorgeous.
And great pass by Messier to start off the play.
2. Dave "Tiger" Williams
Not known as a goal scorer, Williams celebrated his goals with style, whenever they came. This riding his stick celebration is a classic in the hockey world. Swing by any pee-wee hockey game in your area and you might see at least two of these per game. He was a character who was loved by most and this side of things was cool to see.
1. Teemu Selanne
Let's face it. There are few players in the league that are more universally liked than Teemu Selanne. The man has been playing forever and he is just somehow liked by everyone. That's one of the reasons he's number one on this top 10.
Look at the celebration. Just the right amount of cocky to be cool, just enough humour in it to make it acceptable. This celebration was perfect by such a great figure.
But let's stop for a second. If a player, or a rookie, no less, did this in a game today, he would get LYNCHED by the media and the fans. Don't believe me? Just ask my friend Artem Anisimov. Like I wrote above with Nail Yakupov, these players are under a helluva amount of scrutiny so basically everything they do out of whack is not good. Thankfully that was before Teemu's time...or maybe not.
The newest argument is over a celebration done by rookie sensation Nail Yakupov. The first overall pick by Edmonton in last years draft was standing right next to the net down a goal in a game against the defending champions, the Los Angeles Kings. A shot ricocheted off of Jonathan Quick's leg pad and Yakupov batted the puck in out of mid air, tying the game and putting the Rexall Place in a frenzy with 4 seconds left on the game clock.
It was an unbelievable moment. Nail in the spotlight. Fans on their feet. Perfect.
The story goes as such. In the Campbell Conference Quarterfinals, the Edmonton Oilers were leading the Calgary Flames 3 games to 2 with game 6 in Edmonton. The game went into overtime when Theo Fleury finally put the game to rest ending it on a nice breakaway goal. But what is most memorable was his celebration.
Now, in my opinion, the only reason people hate on young Yakupov over here is because they are too quick to compare the two scenarios. They are quick to compare the two games and their main argument is "scoring an overtime goal in an elimination game in the playoffs or scoring a goal in the third game of the regular season?"
I say the two are incomparable.
In Nail Yakupov's third game of his NHL career he scores a HUGE goal against the defending champions. This is Yakupov's second career goal and it is easily the biggest goal of his career so far (it's not saying much, yet, but it is true.)
Take a step back for a minute.
These Edmonton Oiler fans have had to put up with a lot the past few years. Three straight first overall draft picks because they've sucked for so many years straight. Now they're finally getting together a solid, young team but they still have to go through a lot of growing pains that tends to take place with these types of systems.
Now look at that goal by Yakupov again. This win showed the potential of this young team. Battling it out with the defending champs all night, even getting a goal called off with over a minute left in the contest, and then having your most recent first overall draft pick, a major sign of potential for this team, score to tie the game with seconds left in the game.
Just seeing that young player, with Rexall Place spotlight down on him, as he slides on his knee, alone, across centre ice. That was a special moment for him, the team, the fans, and the league.
The reaction from different teams were mostly the same (obviously with the exception of Kings players who were upset with it). Even Theo Fleury himself tweeted that he approved and was happy for the kid.
But this is a good intro to my personal top 10 goal celebrations.
10. Zigmund Palffy
9. Mike Bossy
8. Alex Burrows
7. Nick Foligno
Nick's father, Mike, celebrated his goals back in his time in the NHL by leaping up in the air. Seeing Nick do it after his first goal was pretty cool to see and had a nostalgic feel to it. Oh and by the way, brother Marcus Foligno followed suit by doing the same thing after his first career tally.
6. Alex Ovechkin
5. Milan Hejduk
4. Gabriel Landeskog
3. Theoren Fleury
And great pass by Messier to start off the play.
2. Dave "Tiger" Williams
1. Teemu Selanne
Look at the celebration. Just the right amount of cocky to be cool, just enough humour in it to make it acceptable. This celebration was perfect by such a great figure.
But let's stop for a second. If a player, or a rookie, no less, did this in a game today, he would get LYNCHED by the media and the fans. Don't believe me? Just ask my friend Artem Anisimov. Like I wrote above with Nail Yakupov, these players are under a helluva amount of scrutiny so basically everything they do out of whack is not good. Thankfully that was before Teemu's time...or maybe not.
No comments:
Post a Comment