It's not an illusion
June 12, 2012 12:28 AM Subscribe
Wil Wheaton celebrates the LA Kings first ever Stanley Cup victory (SLYT). There is kazoo.
It must be noted that he is wearing a VERY "old skool" Kings jersey, like from the days they shared colors with the L.A. Lakers to avoid confusing their mutual owner. In fact, that jersey may possibly be older than he is, or at least from the days BEFORE he was a child actor, meaning, considering how oversized it is on him now, his father may have originally acquired it to use as a tent for backyard camping excursions.
Yes, I envy him that jersey.
posted by oneswellfoop at 1:32 AM on June 12, 2012 [3 favorites]
Yes, I envy him that jersey.
posted by oneswellfoop at 1:32 AM on June 12, 2012 [3 favorites]
Isn't it pretty hard for a hockey jersey to NOT be oversized on someone who isn't wearing a duffel bag full of pads?
posted by flaterik at 1:34 AM on June 12, 2012
posted by flaterik at 1:34 AM on June 12, 2012
I guess when your team only wins once every two centuries, you really have no clue as to how to really celebrate a Stanley Cup victory, eh?
what the hell happened to the Red Wings this year?
posted by HuronBob at 2:17 AM on June 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
what the hell happened to the Red Wings this year?
posted by HuronBob at 2:17 AM on June 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
Suck it, New Jersey and all of Canadia.
posted by bardic at 2:21 AM on June 12, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by bardic at 2:21 AM on June 12, 2012 [3 favorites]
> Suck it, New Jersey and all of Canadia.
Yeah! Our team owners are wealthier than your team owners! Go team owners!
posted by ardgedee at 3:41 AM on June 12, 2012
Yeah! Our team owners are wealthier than your team owners! Go team owners!
posted by ardgedee at 3:41 AM on June 12, 2012
I'll note that the other fellow briefly visible in the video is my middle high school friend Mykal Burns, who (obviously) shares a mutual acquaintance with Wil. It's a small world.
posted by jscalzi at 4:25 AM on June 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by jscalzi at 4:25 AM on June 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
Wait, they're still playing hockey this late?
No I'm not bitter about the penguins losing in the first round, why do you ask?
posted by octothorpe at 4:44 AM on June 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
No I'm not bitter about the penguins losing in the first round, why do you ask?
posted by octothorpe at 4:44 AM on June 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
Our team owners are wealthier than your team owners! Go team owners!
Non-sense. I am not a Kings fan, but to dismiss them with that comment is either insanely bitter or pathetically ignorant.
The Kings and the Devils have nearly comparable payrolls. Besides, money can buy players - it can not by a team, which requires chemistry, leadership, and a bit of magic.
On top of that, the Kings just barely made the playoffs. They were a number 8 seed.
This is the players victory - not the owners!
posted by Flood at 4:54 AM on June 12, 2012 [3 favorites]
Non-sense. I am not a Kings fan, but to dismiss them with that comment is either insanely bitter or pathetically ignorant.
The Kings and the Devils have nearly comparable payrolls. Besides, money can buy players - it can not by a team, which requires chemistry, leadership, and a bit of magic.
On top of that, the Kings just barely made the playoffs. They were a number 8 seed.
This is the players victory - not the owners!
posted by Flood at 4:54 AM on June 12, 2012 [3 favorites]
To put things in perspective here are other things that freak my dog out:
posted by gomichild at 5:02 AM on June 12, 2012 [26 favorites]
- his reflection
- my reflection
- Japanese speaking Buzz Lightyear
- Fuzzy dog toys with eyes
- Light reflections
- Cane Toads
- Plastic bags
- Cats
- Hoses
- Geckos
- Moths
- People hiding under blankets
- Palm fronds
- Waves
- Bubble bath
- Lawn Mowers
- Long skirts
- Toddlers
- Dachshunds
- Ice cream
- Story books
- Shoes
- Masks
- Roast chicken
posted by gomichild at 5:02 AM on June 12, 2012 [26 favorites]
Wow, so much happy! I know people twice this guy's age who've never experienced that much joy for a single moment of their lives. Made me grin and not about hockey.
posted by kinnakeet at 5:06 AM on June 12, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by kinnakeet at 5:06 AM on June 12, 2012 [3 favorites]
what the hell happened to the Red Wings this year?
Nashville.
posted by eriko at 5:21 AM on June 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
Nashville.
posted by eriko at 5:21 AM on June 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
In retrospect, "The Final Countdown" kind of is improved by a kazoo arrangement.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:23 AM on June 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:23 AM on June 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
I'm glad that by us (Canada) allowing your celebrities to feel like they were involved in the winning of our tournament, greater attention has been brought to Uncle Gary's vision of the NHL succeeding in places traditionally associated with heat and non-ice related things.
All part of the plan..
posted by dogbusonline at 5:40 AM on June 12, 2012
All part of the plan..
posted by dogbusonline at 5:40 AM on June 12, 2012
I don't follow hockey, except for that night a couple years ago I jumped on the bandwagon and watched the Bruins win the cup, but I do follow Mr. Wheaton on Twitter and I really love the feeling of joy I get from his hockey posts.
Also fun is following the friendly taunts from his fellow nerds.
wilflail.gif
posted by bondcliff at 5:55 AM on June 12, 2012
Also fun is following the friendly taunts from his fellow nerds.
wilflail.gif
posted by bondcliff at 5:55 AM on June 12, 2012
In retrospect, "The Final Countdown" kind of is improved by a kazoo arrangement.
The only thing that can improve "The Final Countdown" is total obliteration.
Congratulations to the Kings on their first Cup ever.
posted by MsVader at 6:11 AM on June 12, 2012
The only thing that can improve "The Final Countdown" is total obliteration.
Congratulations to the Kings on their first Cup ever.
posted by MsVader at 6:11 AM on June 12, 2012
So that's the house TNG paid for. I'm happy that he's happy. I don't care about hockey really.
posted by Fizz at 6:22 AM on June 12, 2012
posted by Fizz at 6:22 AM on June 12, 2012
Besides, money can buy players - it can not by a team, which requires chemistry, leadership, and a bit of magic.
Seriously, look at this year's Buffalo Sabres. New owner, flush with cash, spent like crazy and the team missed the playoffs entirely.
posted by troika at 6:48 AM on June 12, 2012
Seriously, look at this year's Buffalo Sabres. New owner, flush with cash, spent like crazy and the team missed the playoffs entirely.
posted by troika at 6:48 AM on June 12, 2012
Wait, they're still playing hockey this late?
No. That's why Wil Wheaton is celebrating.
Here's Conn Smythe trophy winner Jonathon Quick's two year old daughter stealing the show at the post-game press conference.
posted by notyou at 6:54 AM on June 12, 2012 [4 favorites]
No. That's why Wil Wheaton is celebrating.
Here's Conn Smythe trophy winner Jonathon Quick's two year old daughter stealing the show at the post-game press conference.
posted by notyou at 6:54 AM on June 12, 2012 [4 favorites]
Isn't it pretty hard for a hockey jersey to NOT be oversized on someone who isn't wearing a duffel bag full of pads?
Apparently so.
posted by Thorzdad at 7:08 AM on June 12, 2012
Apparently so.
posted by Thorzdad at 7:08 AM on June 12, 2012
Yeah! Our team owners are wealthier than your team owners! Go team owners!
Kind of a dickish "your favourite sport sucks" comment, no?
posted by KokuRyu at 7:29 AM on June 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
Kind of a dickish "your favourite sport sucks" comment, no?
posted by KokuRyu at 7:29 AM on June 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
grumble grumble Flyers lost to freakin' Jersey grumble grumble
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 7:29 AM on June 12, 2012
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 7:29 AM on June 12, 2012
Anyway, it had to hurt to be the Devils. Pull your goalie to try to get just one more goal in by the end of the game, and the Kings score on you anyway, just to rub it in.
posted by KokuRyu at 7:30 AM on June 12, 2012
posted by KokuRyu at 7:30 AM on June 12, 2012
The whole money-buys-you-The-Cup argument doesn't apply anymore. Salary caps have actually done a good job of bringing a level of parity to the league. LA won because they were a mid-level team who got it together when it mattered and played really great hockey.
That's what makes this game so great...even for a Cdn fan who hasn't seen the Cup hoisted at home in a very long time.
posted by runningdogofcapitalism at 7:47 AM on June 12, 2012
That's what makes this game so great...even for a Cdn fan who hasn't seen the Cup hoisted at home in a very long time.
posted by runningdogofcapitalism at 7:47 AM on June 12, 2012
I had my "Brad Doty" lolKingsBandwagon jokes all ready to fire, but I have to respect a man in a Rogie Vachon jersey.
posted by Copronymus at 7:58 AM on June 12, 2012
posted by Copronymus at 7:58 AM on June 12, 2012
grumble grumble Flyers lost to freakin' Jersey grumble grumble
Watching all of those former Flyers hoist the cup was bittersweet to say the least.
Gagne + Richards + Carter + Williams + Lombardi + Stevens + RON FUCKING HEXTALL = Flyers West
posted by snottydick at 8:02 AM on June 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
Watching all of those former Flyers hoist the cup was bittersweet to say the least.
Gagne + Richards + Carter + Williams + Lombardi + Stevens + RON FUCKING HEXTALL = Flyers West
posted by snottydick at 8:02 AM on June 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
OK. Hate to bore you. But I do not know when else this story might be even slightly appropos.
When the Kings were created (and yes, the original jerseys were gold and "Forum blue") a goalie named Terry Sawchuck, once great, but in the twilight of his career, was drafted and put on the team. He rented a house several blocks down the alley from me, and his kid was a couple years younger than I was and learned to surf (he was sort of an asshole but got pretty good in the water).
I remember seeing the dad sitting in his yard, talking to him some, right by the sand, a drink in his hand (all the adults always had a drink in their hand) and thinking that this guy was really out of place.
I went to ONE King's game back then, and just happened to see Sawchuck, with his old school goalkeeping style, get a shutout.
posted by Danf at 8:10 AM on June 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
When the Kings were created (and yes, the original jerseys were gold and "Forum blue") a goalie named Terry Sawchuck, once great, but in the twilight of his career, was drafted and put on the team. He rented a house several blocks down the alley from me, and his kid was a couple years younger than I was and learned to surf (he was sort of an asshole but got pretty good in the water).
I remember seeing the dad sitting in his yard, talking to him some, right by the sand, a drink in his hand (all the adults always had a drink in their hand) and thinking that this guy was really out of place.
I went to ONE King's game back then, and just happened to see Sawchuck, with his old school goalkeeping style, get a shutout.
posted by Danf at 8:10 AM on June 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
I justified rooting for them by noting that Kings rhymed with Wings, that Robataille was with them, and that they were playing phenomenal hockey and really did deserve to win it.
posted by klangklangston at 8:13 AM on June 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by klangklangston at 8:13 AM on June 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
Okay yes I am pretty psyched that if the Cup isn't going to get a march down Broad Street, Gagne and Hextall and Lombardi get to take a swig out of the thing.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:29 AM on June 12, 2012
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:29 AM on June 12, 2012
There is never a bad time for a Terry Sawchuk story, Danf.
(For non-hockey fans and/or non-Canadians, this is roughly equivalent to saying, hey, I once saw Sandy Koufax pitch a shutout.)
My sincere hope is that this startling victory convinces the ownership of the Calgary Flames that the problem with the team is not its coach but on-ice mix and especially its management. (Kings coach Darryl Sittler coached the Flames to within one win of the Cup, then moved into the head office as a series of coaches flailed around with the same basic bunch of players and Calgary slid into terminal mediocrity.) I am pretty much certain that this is a fruitless hope.
posted by gompa at 8:31 AM on June 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
(For non-hockey fans and/or non-Canadians, this is roughly equivalent to saying, hey, I once saw Sandy Koufax pitch a shutout.)
My sincere hope is that this startling victory convinces the ownership of the Calgary Flames that the problem with the team is not its coach but on-ice mix and especially its management. (Kings coach Darryl Sittler coached the Flames to within one win of the Cup, then moved into the head office as a series of coaches flailed around with the same basic bunch of players and Calgary slid into terminal mediocrity.) I am pretty much certain that this is a fruitless hope.
posted by gompa at 8:31 AM on June 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
I was there for Game Four when it looked like the Kings would sweep and win the Cup just like that. Everybody expected it to happen. The game was just a formality.
But it wasn't just a formality and neither was Game Five back in New Jersey.
I was there again last night and the atmosphere was positive and hopeful, but more subdued than Game Four. A win felt possible, maybe even likely, but a win didn't feel certain. Nothing taken for granted was our motto. Winning the Stanley Cup is hard. Watching a team you've followed for years, supported with season tickets for years (only partials, in my case), watched fail for years, is hard. Please finish this.
One of the joys of the game is the emotion it contains and inspires, from the skaters on the ice, all the way up to the voices in the press box. It effects how the players play and contributes to the ebb and flow of the game and it spills over into the seats beyond the glass where draws forth "oohs" at missed opportunities that ALMOST!, and "ahhs" at the opportunities that connect to pull us up out of seats to wave and holler.
There was a lot of emotion in the building last night, lots of living vicariously through the success of others. We know we didn't contribute much to the effort, but we like to imagine we contributed something. We made noise. We beamed positive energy from our seats down onto the ice. Let's go boys!. Finish this!
Anyway we were there and we were connected to it.
And that is also the game's ultimate cruelty. NHL hockey is a business and the men and women who own and operate it know they're selling joy and frustration, shared expectation and community, vicarious achievement just as they are selling speed, danger, skill. That makes fools of those of us who cheered wildly and wept openly at the end of last night's game.
Giddy fools.
posted by notyou at 8:49 AM on June 12, 2012 [4 favorites]
But it wasn't just a formality and neither was Game Five back in New Jersey.
I was there again last night and the atmosphere was positive and hopeful, but more subdued than Game Four. A win felt possible, maybe even likely, but a win didn't feel certain. Nothing taken for granted was our motto. Winning the Stanley Cup is hard. Watching a team you've followed for years, supported with season tickets for years (only partials, in my case), watched fail for years, is hard. Please finish this.
One of the joys of the game is the emotion it contains and inspires, from the skaters on the ice, all the way up to the voices in the press box. It effects how the players play and contributes to the ebb and flow of the game and it spills over into the seats beyond the glass where draws forth "oohs" at missed opportunities that ALMOST!, and "ahhs" at the opportunities that connect to pull us up out of seats to wave and holler.
There was a lot of emotion in the building last night, lots of living vicariously through the success of others. We know we didn't contribute much to the effort, but we like to imagine we contributed something. We made noise. We beamed positive energy from our seats down onto the ice. Let's go boys!. Finish this!
Anyway we were there and we were connected to it.
And that is also the game's ultimate cruelty. NHL hockey is a business and the men and women who own and operate it know they're selling joy and frustration, shared expectation and community, vicarious achievement just as they are selling speed, danger, skill. That makes fools of those of us who cheered wildly and wept openly at the end of last night's game.
Giddy fools.
posted by notyou at 8:49 AM on June 12, 2012 [4 favorites]
With the victory of the Kings of Southern California, let's hope that Lord Stanley's mug might one day make its way to other unknown lands, like Vancouver.
(I kid, I kid. That'll never happen.)
posted by docgonzo at 9:04 AM on June 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
(I kid, I kid. That'll never happen.)
posted by docgonzo at 9:04 AM on June 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
And that is also the game's ultimate cruelty. NHL hockey is a business and the men and women who own and operate it know they're selling joy and frustration, shared expectation and community, vicarious achievement just as they are selling speed, danger, skill. That makes fools of those of us who cheered wildly and wept openly at the end of last night's game.
Relevant piece from Bill Simmons - "The consequences of caring"
As a Sharks fan this makes me sigh. It's nice for Wil that he did not need to say "Dammit Kings!" this year, but I'll say it in his stead! Yes, let's bring the Stanley Cup back up north, but only about 340 miles or so.
posted by TwoWordReview at 9:26 AM on June 12, 2012
Relevant piece from Bill Simmons - "The consequences of caring"
As a Sharks fan this makes me sigh. It's nice for Wil that he did not need to say "Dammit Kings!" this year, but I'll say it in his stead! Yes, let's bring the Stanley Cup back up north, but only about 340 miles or so.
posted by TwoWordReview at 9:26 AM on June 12, 2012
The Kings deserved it. They've been playing great since about March, and they really stepped it up in the playoffs. It's been a fun series to watch, despite me wishing fervently that it was the Caps instead...
The one thing that always makes me happy to see at the end of a very hard-fought series like this is the line of players shaking hands with their opposing team players. The little moment between Quick and Brodeur last night was the epitome of good sportsmanship, and it made me really happy. Particularly in light of the horrendously chippy start to the playoffs (so many elbows to the head!), this series showed the sport itself in a good light, I think.
Can't wait for next season!
posted by gemmy at 9:28 AM on June 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
The one thing that always makes me happy to see at the end of a very hard-fought series like this is the line of players shaking hands with their opposing team players. The little moment between Quick and Brodeur last night was the epitome of good sportsmanship, and it made me really happy. Particularly in light of the horrendously chippy start to the playoffs (so many elbows to the head!), this series showed the sport itself in a good light, I think.
Can't wait for next season!
posted by gemmy at 9:28 AM on June 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
Always had my suspicions that he wasn't really a geek.
posted by Ad hominem at 9:40 AM on June 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by Ad hominem at 9:40 AM on June 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
NHL hockey is a business and the men and women who own and operate it know they're selling joy and frustration, shared expectation and community, vicarious achievement just as they are selling speed, danger, skill. That makes fools of those of us who cheered wildly and wept openly at the end of last night's game.
You would not be able to utter these words in public (or post as a Facebook status update) in Canada. Sacrilegious!
posted by KokuRyu at 9:54 AM on June 12, 2012
You would not be able to utter these words in public (or post as a Facebook status update) in Canada. Sacrilegious!
posted by KokuRyu at 9:54 AM on June 12, 2012
Isn't it pretty hard for a hockey jersey to NOT be oversized on someone who isn't wearing a duffel bag full of pads?
Not since Reebok got the contract; they're actually a pretty good fit now. You probably get a size smaller than you might if you're not wearing pads though.
Anyways, good on the Kings. I had called The Kings to come out on top of the West this year at the outset of the season and maybe ranked them a bit high in my fantasy draft. It was not to be, but they sure exceeded expectations in the playoffs. I hope Penner can finally eat his pancakes in peace now.
On top of that, the Kings just barely made the playoffs. They were a number 8 seed.
The Western Conference was remarkably tight this year though; the seeding was kind of screwy that way. They both barley made it into 8th and barely missed 3rd.
posted by Hoopo at 9:59 AM on June 12, 2012
Not since Reebok got the contract; they're actually a pretty good fit now. You probably get a size smaller than you might if you're not wearing pads though.
Anyways, good on the Kings. I had called The Kings to come out on top of the West this year at the outset of the season and maybe ranked them a bit high in my fantasy draft. It was not to be, but they sure exceeded expectations in the playoffs. I hope Penner can finally eat his pancakes in peace now.
On top of that, the Kings just barely made the playoffs. They were a number 8 seed.
The Western Conference was remarkably tight this year though; the seeding was kind of screwy that way. They both barley made it into 8th and barely missed 3rd.
posted by Hoopo at 9:59 AM on June 12, 2012
A comic about the Sports Puck Championship and @wilw (via @hijinksensue)
posted by TwoWordReview at 10:22 AM on June 12, 2012
posted by TwoWordReview at 10:22 AM on June 12, 2012
It's been a fun series to watch, despite me wishing fervently that it was the Caps instead.
Heck, I'm a Devils fan and I was pleased the Kings finally won. I just wish last night wasn't so...ouch. Yeesh.
posted by ladygypsy at 10:53 AM on June 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
Heck, I'm a Devils fan and I was pleased the Kings finally won. I just wish last night wasn't so...ouch. Yeesh.
posted by ladygypsy at 10:53 AM on June 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
You know what else was great? Seeing that Marty Brodeur does, in fact, still have the chops at 40 years old to back a team to the Final. I had my doubts, and he's always played against the teams I root for, but man what a goalie.
posted by Hoopo at 11:20 AM on June 12, 2012 [5 favorites]
posted by Hoopo at 11:20 AM on June 12, 2012 [5 favorites]
" just wish last night wasn't so...ouch. Yeesh."
That was f*ckin' ugly. Not a Kings fan but you have to give it up to them. Quick was a beast and the Kings penalty killing was incredible. Pair those things with the inability of the Devils stars like Kovalchuk and Parise to score and you couldn't see it going any other way.
posted by MikeMc at 1:39 PM on June 12, 2012
That was f*ckin' ugly. Not a Kings fan but you have to give it up to them. Quick was a beast and the Kings penalty killing was incredible. Pair those things with the inability of the Devils stars like Kovalchuk and Parise to score and you couldn't see it going any other way.
posted by MikeMc at 1:39 PM on June 12, 2012
Suck it, New Jersey and all of Canadia.
25 of the 37 players on LA's roster are Canadians.
And Wil is sporting Rogatien Vachon's jersey.
posted by kneecapped at 2:31 PM on June 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
25 of the 37 players on LA's roster are Canadians.
And Wil is sporting Rogatien Vachon's jersey.
posted by kneecapped at 2:31 PM on June 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
Suck it, New Jersey and all of Canadia.
I mean, I had been rooting for the Kings and actually watching the playoffs long after there were no Canadian teams left, but I guess I could hate them if you want.
posted by Hoopo at 3:34 PM on June 12, 2012
I mean, I had been rooting for the Kings and actually watching the playoffs long after there were no Canadian teams left, but I guess I could hate them if you want.
posted by Hoopo at 3:34 PM on June 12, 2012
but I guess I could hate them if you want.
Indeed. You'd think there'd still be a bit of lingering bitterness in Edmonton towards L.A. after the Gretzky trade, but pretty much everyone I know here was pulling for the Kings (though no one seemed to hate the Devils). Maybe some of that came from drawing parallels with the also eighth-in-the-West Oilers' surprise playoff run in '06, but mostly it has to be due to the Kings just being a well put together team that plays good tough entertaining hockey (i.e. totally unlike my beloved/lamented Habs).
posted by hangashore at 4:27 PM on June 12, 2012
Indeed. You'd think there'd still be a bit of lingering bitterness in Edmonton towards L.A. after the Gretzky trade, but pretty much everyone I know here was pulling for the Kings (though no one seemed to hate the Devils). Maybe some of that came from drawing parallels with the also eighth-in-the-West Oilers' surprise playoff run in '06, but mostly it has to be due to the Kings just being a well put together team that plays good tough entertaining hockey (i.e. totally unlike my beloved/lamented Habs).
posted by hangashore at 4:27 PM on June 12, 2012
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