Pictures that make you sad in hockey

[Jim MacDonald]

Just to clarify............that is the end of Game 6 of the 1994 Cup final is it not? I have always assumed it was.

But what a picture. Two of the three big horses (Bure the other one) for the Canucks that spring. All three have been debated as the Conn Smythe winner had the Canucks won. I always figure McLean wins it, but all three have cases.

I agree with you my good man...I believe it is after Game 6 in 94 *thumbs up*

 

[SealsFan]

Bill Masterton after hitting his head on the ice...

 

[SealsFan]

The Islander Cup years made me ill...

 

[SealsFan]

Too bad a decent d-man like Dale Rolfe is likely remembered for the pounding he took from Dave Schultz...

 

[NyQuil]

Three-year-old Elgin Fraser ended his battle with cancer just hours after he watched his favourite team, the Ottawa Senators, win a place in the Stanley Cup finals.

Propped up on a mattress in front of the television, Elgin closed his eyes and drifted away Saturday evening as his parents Hamish and Victoria Fraser held him tight. His aunts, uncles and grandparents were there to say goodbye and how much they would miss him.

Elgin, perhaps the most dedicated Senators fan under the age of five, became a fast friend of the team.

The Frasers were introduced to Sens defenceman Chris Phillips and were invited to a Senators practice in April, just days before the team's opening playoff round. On Elgin's third birthday, Phillips dropped by the Frasers' home to play hockey with him.

The family was also able to attend every home playoff game through the generous donation of tickets from supporters.

Elgin saw his final game on Wednesday night.

Donning his customary Sens jersey and a sawed-off hockey stick, he watched the showdown with his family and later met with Sens centre Mike Fisher, goaltender Ray Emery and Phillips.

Phillips promised Elgin they would win their final game and make it to the playoffs for him.

His favourite player paid a visit to the Fraser home just two days before he died. Too sick to play hockey, Elgin and Sens centre Mike Fisher spent the day watching movies and playing with toy cars.

There was a lot of media attention and discussion on the part of the players about Elgin during their 2007 Stanley Cup run.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/cancer-claims-the-life-of-young-senators-fan-1.242094

 

[Big Phil]

Around 1999-2000, the NHL did a thing called "Pond of Dreams". I supposed 'sad' isn't exactly the word I'd use, but the implication was that Bure, Kariya, Jagr, and Lindros would be the ones to carry the torch for the next decade but injuries and other factors would limit them shortly thereafter.

Yeah a classic commercial. Really only Jagr hung around as a star.

Funny thing with this picture, Mario is still tall next to everyone despite not wearing skates.

 

[Whaleafs]

 

[Stanislasjc]

Around 1999-2000, the NHL did a thing called "Pond of Dreams". I supposed 'sad' isn't exactly the word I'd use, but the implication was that Bure, Kariya, Jagr, and Lindros would be the ones to carry the torch for the next decade but injuries and other factors would limit them shortly thereafter.

I know just what you're saying. Their downfall led to perhaps the most depressing talent dip ever in the early 2000's. There was this weird gap between Gretzky/Lemieux and Crosby/Ovechkin that should have not have existed. No offense to Naslund, Bertuzzi, and Iginla--they were great players, but Bure, Kariya, Lindros, and even Jagr (it seemed like he was winding down at the time in Washington) should have all still been reigning over the NHL at that point, instead of shadows of their former selves.

Also they definitely asked Gretzky to stand next to Kariya, Lemieux/Jagr, Howe/Lindros, to highlight the "next one" vibes. Poor Bure on the outside. I guess Maurice Richard was close to death at this point.

 

[The Panther]

Where was Orr for that photo? Couldn't be bothered? Not invited?

 

[Big Phil]

Where was Orr for that photo? Couldn't be bothered? Not invited?

I would say for sure would have been invited if they could find a young defenseman on the rise in the NHL at that time. I guess Pronger is the right fit for that as he was in the middle of his Hart season. But he and Orr played much different styles. Who knows.

 

[Nizzle]

 

[Mandar]

Too bad a decent d-man like Dale Rolfe is likely remembered for the pounding he took from Dave Schultz...

not to be too critical, but this isn't a pic of the Schultz/Rolfe fight. This appears to be one of many fights he had with the Rangers over the years.

The Schultz/Rolfe fight took place in the 1974 playoffs....game 7 when the Flyers were at home (different jerseys).

 

[The Panther]

I think someone's already mentioned it, but this one makes me a bit sad:

Here's a club that's been setting records for 7 years, that's just won its fourth Cup in five seasons, just appeared in the Finals for the fifth time in six seasons, been a top-3 team in the League for seven straight seasons, and just gone 16-2 in the playoffs to win it all. (Not only that, but they swept both the League's #1 and #4 teams in the process.)

Paul Coffey is gone, but that just resulted in better team defence, and he was replaced by 21-year-old Craig Simpson, who just finished 2nd NHL in goals and had 12 playoff scores. The top 'veteran' superstars are only 27 years old (Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, Anderson), Fuhr and Geoff Courtnall are 25, Tikkanen 23, Ranford and Simpson 21.

Eight years after this photo, Mark Messier will still score at a 50-goal pace and finish 2nd in Hart voting. Six years later, Gretzky wins the scoring title. Nine years later, Fuhr will still be great.

But after this photo (despite the unlikely 1990 Stanley Cup), the Oilers basically become a .500 team for four seasons and then miss the playoffs for four straight years. And -- unbelievably -- after this photo, another 29 years pass before the Oilers have a single .600 season.

 

[the4thlinegrinder]

This photo of Todd Harvey always gets me. It was taken following the Oilers loss to the Hurricanes in game 7 of the 2006 SCF. Here’s a guy who grew up dreaming of winning the Stanley Cup since he’s a kid, and is in this moment realizing that it’s not ever going to happen. He was bought out that off season and never played another game in the NHL.

 

[EpochLink]

View attachment 278001

This photo of Todd Harvey always gets me. It was taken following the Oilers loss to the Hurricanes in game 7 of the 2006 SCF. Here’s a guy who grew up dreaming of winning the Stanley Cup since he’s a kid, and is in this moment realizing that it’s not ever going to happen. He was bought out that off season and never played another game in the NHL.

I remember that Oilers post season run, it seemed like Todd Harvey was their good luck charm.
Every time he was in the line up, the Oilers won.

 

[Howie Hodge]

 

[Teamplaya]

View attachment 278027

If it's any consolation, it always warms my heart that these two tore it up in Detroit not long after, awkward interactions and all.

 

[scott clam]

I think someone's already mentioned it, but this one makes me a bit sad:

Here's a club that's been setting records for 7 years, that's just won its fourth Cup in five seasons, just appeared in the Finals for the fifth time in six seasons, been a top-3 team in the League for seven straight seasons, and just gone 16-2 in the playoffs to win it all. (Not only that, but they swept both the League's #1 and #4 teams in the process.)

Paul Coffey is gone, but that just resulted in better team defence, and he was replaced by 21-year-old Craig Simpson, who just finished 2nd NHL in goals and had 12 playoff scores. The top 'veteran' superstars are only 27 years old (Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, Anderson), Fuhr and Geoff Courtnall are 25, Tikkanen 23, Ranford and Simpson 21.

Eight years after this photo, Mark Messier will still score at a 50-goal pace and finish 2nd in Hart voting. Six years later, Gretzky wins the scoring title. Nine years later, Fuhr will still be great.

But after this photo (despite the unlikely 1990 Stanley Cup), the Oilers basically become a .500 team for four seasons and then miss the playoffs for four straight years. And -- unbelievably -- after this photo, another 29 years pass before the Oilers have a single .600 season.

The look on Wayne's face says it all: He knows he just played his last game in Edmonton. And probably so does Pocklington....

 

[Terrier]

 

[Lexus]

 

[DannyGallivan]

You misunderstood... "Sad", not "Euphoric".

 

[Fenian24]

Someone had to lose.

View attachment 272597

That is truly an iconic picture though, it shows hockey at it's best. Sure Rocket is concussed and probably has no idea who Henry is but it is still a great picture.

 

[DannyGallivan]

 

[Fenian24]

He was too young and should still have been playing, for the

Bruins not the Blackhawks

 

[ICM1970]

He was too young and should still have been playing, for the View attachment 279509 Bruins not the Blackhawks

I remember Don Cherry discussing that photo, there was not a dry eye in the Garden during that ceremony.