Well, the first two weeks of the season have officially been canceled. If I could tell you to ear-muff it so I could go on a profane rant about the situation and really tell you and Mr. Bettman how I feel about it, I would. But alas, I must address a PG-13 audience. In lieu of it not being in danger of being a Hockey Night in Pittsburgh, or anywhere else in the US for the foreseeable future, we give you some of our favorite hockey themed movies to get you through this difficult time.
Trivia: Which of these films was shot, using real NHL players, during the 1994-1995 lockout?
Slap Shot
Now we all know hockey players are just as much fun off the ice as they are intense on it. No one showed us that better than Paul Newman, the Hanson brothers, and the rest of the team of misfits in this 1977 classic.
Youngblood
An ’80s classic, starring Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze in their prime. A young farmer learns what it takes to make it as a pro, with the help of his fond of hazing mentor, and family.
Sudden Death
Not really a hockey movie you say? Well, you say wrong. Any film where a mascot beats up Van Damme, a helicopter enters arena airspace and Luc Robitaille is playing himself on the ice, absolutely is a hockey movie.
Miracle
This is not only one of the best hockey films of all time; it is also one of the best sports films of all time. The tale of the 1980 Olympic team is so authentic because Director Gavin O’Connor refused to use Hollywood actors and held actual hockey tryouts when casting.
Mystery, Alaska
Another all around good movie, one with some real hockey too. Any movie that pairs Burt Reynolds and Russell Crowe as coach and captain is going to be on this list. Are you not entertained?
We know this list does not even come close to watching those lost games, but hey, we tried. Fingers crossed, this mess will be wrapped up ASAFP.
Trivia Answer: Sudden Death. The film was penned by Karen Elise Baldwin, wife of then Penguins owner, Howard Baldwin, and shot in Pittsburgh’s Civic Arena. Guess they weren’t using the space for anything else…
What did we miss? One of your favorites not here? That’s what the comment section is for below…
