g00n
Retired Global Mod
- Nov 22, 2007
- 30,692
- 14,881
The concept of fans judging a team's state based on a group hug is patently absurd.
Patently absurd, I say!
Actually, as humans we're designed to read the body language, facial expressions and behavior of others in order to make these exact kind of judgments. It's part of our survival and socialization mechanism that's hardwired into our brains. And for fans who scrutinize probably more than is healthy every single game, it's pretty likely that some kind of deviation from the norm will get noticed.
Also, all you did was google some pics, and most of those were from past seasons (a few pretty old). That doesn't prove the group hugs are a regular thing. Teams will frequently congratulate the goaltender and pat each other on the helmet, but you rarely see a coming together like the one in question unless there as a big win or some kind of emotional element (which could have been the case in the pics you posted, absent context, regular season or not).
This team has shown some serious resiliency and mental toughness late in games despite some horribly unfair officiating and/or other obstacles. I don't think it's any coincidence that they're pulling these games out, winning back to back matches instead of folding, winning games with the backup in net, and so many other things that would previously have knocked them off their game. Not to mention guys who are already hurt throwing themselves in front of slapshots like it's nothing.
They're rallying in support of each other as a team, and it seems pretty clear that they really, really want to do whatever it takes to win.