Playoff Beard ‘Eh?
“Why the beard Tony?”
“What’s up with the beard, starting a revolution?”
I’ll answer the second question first, no I am not starting a revolution.
I am currently in the second round of my playoff beard experiment, at least that’s what I refer to it as, an experiment.
To bring you up to speed, ugly facial hair tends to make an appearance this time of year as part of a decades-old tradition belonging to professional hockey players. It is an act of camaraderie, where all members banish their razors in hopes of some good luck in the postseason.
While I am not a diehard hockey fan, I do love me some Blackhawks on occasion. In honor of their first trip to the playoffs in quite a few years I have decided to join them, letting my vicious weird-beard grow.
Originally my plan was to abstain from the shave for both the Bulls and Blackhawks playoff stints, cleaning it up after one of them lost. Something special is going on in Chicago, and my viewpoint has shifted. Not because of the Bulls, I think they have benefited by some good luck not having to face Kevin Garnett, and Ben Gordon is currently auditioning for a cash soaked contract with some other team next season.
It’s because of the most exciting thing to happen on frozen water since Blades of Glory.
I have spent some time with good people who consider themselves ‘Hawks fans over the past couple of weeks. I have toasted eight dollar Jager bombs when Chicago lit the lamp. And I am the proud owner of a pretty face that has not shaved in 14 days.
Everything is falling into place for the Blackhawks, this is the reason for my supportive, yet subtle display of pride, my playoff beard.
They went from league worst home attendance last season, to tops in 2009. They have an outstanding core of young, talented players who should play for Chicago’s Original Six team for many years to come.
We can’t forget the nightly headstand performances from Nikolai Khabibulin, and all the other names we cannot pronounce. See, told you I’m no diehard. Go Blackhawks!
