The Pittsburgh Penguins may be defending Stanley Cup champions, but they weren’t feeling like winners after a 4-1 drubbing by the Devils on Saturday. Pens players opted to get over the loss in a unique manner: the team had a players-only Halloween party on Sunday night. The costumes even found their way onto the ice for a Monday practice at Mellon Arena.
You can be sure there were some icy Russian beauties like Oksana Kondakova present for the festivities. But this party was really about the marginally creative costumes. Center Jordan Staal arrived at the event in a yellow peanut M&M costume while Ruslan Fedotenko went with his “wife’s idea” and dressed up as David Letterman. Sorry, Ruslan. Your wife is not as hilarious as Jon Kitna’s wife. Winger Eric Godard was ballsy enough to dress up as a light blue Carebear.
Even with those costumes as competition, Jay McKee won the prize for “best costume.” Who did McKee dress as to take home the prize? The Joker, of course. Because nothing says “winner” in a costume contest like the most popular costume from the previous Halloween. He won a free meal for his effort in the “credit card game” described thusly:
“We play the credit card game. When everyone’s card gets shuffled around when we go out to eat, and the loser has to pay. I get a meal-for-free card.”
Some of the costumes even made it to practice on Monday. Right wing Eric Godard rocked his light blue Carebear mask for part of the session. One has to wonder how he didn’t beat out McKee. Pens’ goalie Marc-Andre Fleury also got in on the action. The man known as “flower” to teammates donned a Kermit the Frog mask while he stood in net. Sidney Crosby noted that Fleury was “pretty happy to be a frog” and that the goalie may just enjoy wearing tights. He was Catwoman last year.
In case you’re still looking for a costume, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review was nice enough to put together a list of homemade get-ups. WARNING: If you go as the “Web Site” with cobwebs draped on your glasses, you will be punched immediately upon explanation. Here’s the list:
Animals and other critters, like Dalmatians, deer, horses, cats, dragons and ladybugs
Famous characters, like Shrek, Tigger, Batman and Charlie Brown
Food and other edibles, like a box of popcorn, a slice of pizza, a hot dog, or gum stuck under the table
Inanimate objects, like an eyeball, Christmas tree, flower garden or robot
People, like astronauts, angels or gypsies
On the cheap quick costumes
Job Seeker, with a suit, briefcase and resume.
Backwards Man, with clothes put on backwards.
Work of Art, with a large picture frame around your neck.
Web Site, with cobwebs draped on eyeglasses.
The Nerd, with high-water pants, a short-sleeve dress shirt buttoned to the top with pens in the pockets and ink stains, and the nose and mustache from Groucho glasses.
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I think head shots should be outlawed, due to the severe injuries that can occur.
I support you in this.