At the end of my previous column about the most embarrassing goals I've ever seen, I asked you to send me your own embarrassing goal memories - and enough of you provided video links that I've been able to put together another list of five awesomely awkward hockey moments.
Ryan C. sent me this link to Ottawa Senators' defenceman Chris Phillips "pulling a Steve Smith" with Ray Emery in Game Five of last year's Stanley Cup finals. Gotta love Bob Cole's slow-on-the-uptake call: "Look out! He nearly got it in his own net!" (Red light goes on... fans go nuts...) "He did! Oh my goodness, what a play!" Meanwhile, over on the Senators' bench, I think Bryan Murray swallowed his tongue.
Speaking of Steve Smith, Tara W. sent me this great blooper clip where the announcer awards LA Kings defenceman Steve Duchesne the "Steve Smith Award of the week" for this beauty wrister into his own net. Steve Smith wishes he was that authoritative about his goal! Wait, maybe not. Also, check out the fantastic old-timey piano music in the background. I'm pretty sure whoever put this blooper reel together stole that music from the Albert Achievement Awards.
After I enjoyed Tara's link, I re-discovered the infamous Bryan McCabe own-goal from October. Toronto Maple Leafs fans might not even consider the Vesa Toskala whiff to be the team's most embarrassing goal of the season when they're reminded of McCabe scoring the Buffalo Sabres' winning goal on his own net with just four seconds left in overtime. McCabe explains: "I was trying to clear it, a guy was right on me. I certainly didn't mean to put it in the f***in' net." Well, as long as you didn't mean to do it, Bryan, I'm sure Leafs fans can forgive you.
I'll let reader Jeff A. describe this laugher, probably one of the most memorable first goals of any player's career you'll ever see: "In discussing the most embarrassing goals ever to be scored in an NHL game, consideration must be given to Maxime Talbot's goal on a wrist shot from centre ice on Flyers goaltender Antero Niittymaki, who was watching himself on the Jumbotron at the time." Nice one, Jeff. I think the commentator on this goal actually did a spit-take.
Eric W. and Mike C. both sent me this last one, which is unquestionably the best of the bunch. In January '07, Dallas Star Patrick Stefan whiffed on an empty net with 11 seconds left, and then the Oilers' Ales Hemsky tied the game at the other end with two seconds remaining. The commentator's outrage starting at about the 0:50 mark of the video is my favourite part: "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen! Patrick Stefan, you should be embarrassed for what you just did! That does not belong in the National Hockey League!" That guy should moonlight as a pro wrestling announcer.
Good job, readers! Thanks for doing my job for me! I should do these reader-submission columns more often.
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