Team Canada Should Grow “Playoff Beards” Starting Dec 31st
Before the Canadian Olympic Orientation camp breaks up this week, I sincerely hope that they have a discussion with the players that when the team in announced on or before Dec. 31st, the 25 players named to the roster they immediately begin growing “playoff beards”.
May 20, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) moves the puck against the Phoenix Coyotes during the first period of game four of the Western Conference Finals of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
You see, for as long as I can remember, the annual growth of the scruff is synonymous with the time of year that a player sells out and pays the ultimate prices for victory. Why on December 31st? Well, that is approximately two months before the medal round of the Olympics will begin in Sochi. The quarterfinals are Feb 18th, with the Gold Medal game set for Feb 23rd.
Coincidentally, the playoffs are a grind that lasts 2 months. So when the beards are reaching Stanley Cup Finals levels, the Canadian team should be in the battle for medals.
I thought it would also help keep them insulated from the legendary fierce Russian winters, until I looked it up and saw that the average temperatures in February in Sochi are around 8.7°C. Not exactly Siberia.
Its probably not going to happen, but wouldn’t it be great to see what Shea Weber’s beard would look like after 2 months. It was legendary after just 2 rounds a couple of years ago, before the Preds were eliminated.
Besides, if they were to do it, poor Sidney Crosby. I still don’t think he can grow whiskers let alone a beard.
Crosby aside, it would be a good team-building exercise, as the month or so before the team gets together, they would still be able to acknowledge each other when they face off around the league as opponents.
Not that they should need any more motivation or inspiration to complete for a gold, but it would just add to the environment and maybe at certain points might add a little levity to the high-pressure situation.