Anyway, this time of year is amazing because the playoffs are a week and change away and the playoff contenders are already beating the snot out of each other.
Despite the NHL's "popularity" this time of year, I saw the following picture and it reminded me why I started playing hockey in the first place. Bobby Orr was my first sports idol and continues to be one of those players that I admire for his two-way play, leadership and toughness. This is a shot of him I (strangely) had not remembered seeing before. It really sums up one of the greatest players to ever put on a pair of skates and embodies the best qualities of all the elite NHLers... physicality, grace, and speed.
His form is perfect, his intensity and concentration unparalleled at that moment and the shot screams at you to actually feel the movement and pace as Orr streaks to/with the puck- something he did as well as any player... ever. This picture really embodies the game and I would offer it to anyone who asks what is so special about the NHL. Well, this was 30 years ago and the game has not slowed down since.
Let the Quest for the for Stanley's Cup resume.
