Another amazing playoffs left us with a wide array of some of the finest playoff beards to date.

One of the Ottawa Senators most glaring weaknesses this post season was their lack of playoff beard depth. The chin mullet has become a phenomenon that can mysteriously make or break teams in the playoffs. Point in case. Last season Michael Peca shaved his playoff beard between the Western Conference Finals, and the Stanley Cup Finals. His actions, while at the time may not have seemed significant, may have cursed his club. The Edmonton Oilers watched their goaltender Dwayne Roloson go down with an injury and their Stanley Cup dreams dashed. This season, New York Rangers forward Matt Cullen sculpted his playoff beard to a more manageable playoff goatee.... and just when it looked like they would take a 3-2 series lead over Buffalo, the playoff beard curse struck, allowing Sabres forward Chris Drury to tie the game with 7 seconds to go, and helped lift his club past the Rangers.

The Senators, aside from defencemen Chris Phillips (who's playoff beard still couldn't fend off the lack of jaw fuzz depth on his team... which perhaps led to his flub in Game 5) and Tom Preissing had little to Yeti factor. Most of the Senators looked like Jeff Friesen on day 2 of not shaving. Daniel Alfredsson who's attempted season after season to grow a playoff beard unsuccessfully, did finally give up during the playoffs and shaved. Granted his facial hair was comparable to the thin wispy hairs that Homer Simpson sports atop his skull, but it was a playoff beard nonetheless.... and he shaved it. Thus bringing about the playoff beard curse.

The Anaheim Ducks aside from being a stellar hockey club from top to bottom, showcased beard growth that this country hasn't witnessed since the Civil War. Anyone of them could have taken the Chuck Norris Trophy for best playoff beard. I had several favorites on this team, but two of the standouts for me were hulking winger Dustin Penner, and grinding forward Todd Marchant. Penner looked like a man who had been locked in solitary confinement for 3 years, and Marchant was the spitting image of a young Santa Claus (remember the old animated puppet Christmas shows, that told the tale of how Chris Kringle became Santa.... ok right now I am really dorking out) before his beard went white. Either one of these gentleman would have been worthy of the Playoff Beard's greatest award.

However, the master of the beard took center stage once again. Anytime this gentleman is in the playoffs, his beard is a beacon of hope for all (except for stock holders of shaving related corporations), not to mention his play. His skill, determination, and of course playoff beard have helped 2 different organizations capture the Stanley Cup for a combined 4 times. His latest efforts also saw him honored with the Conn Smythe Trophy for the most valuable player. Well it is time to honor this warrior of facial hair one more time.

Please join me in congratulating Anaheim Ducks defenceman Scott Niedermayer as our 2006-2007 Chuck Norris Trophy winner for best playoff beard!

Congratulations Scotty. Home Depot is having a sail on hedge trimmers this week, and if you have any trouble shaving that thing, I know a great landscaper.

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh