Passion, enthusiasm, excitement, pride. That is what I see when I re-watch Nail Yakupov's game-tying goal celebration over and over again. But there are people out there criticizing him for his over zealous reaction, for disrespecting the game and making a mockery of hockey. He cheered like a soccer player, so what? They have passion for their careers and teams too. Let's give the kid a break here. If the Kings did not have a problem with it, neither should anyone else.
He is 19 years old and just scored the most exciting Oilers goal since Hemsky against Dallas. Puck mid-air, rebounding off of Quick's blocker with just 4.7 seconds remaining. The drama that was built exploded in passion from a kid. He skated and slid across the ice leaving his fellow team mates behind and collapsed in joy. He looked to the crowd and cheered with them. It is the epitome of hockey. It is what I, along with millions, missed three months for. This is what I live for.
Had this been a game-tying goal at the ten minute mark, then absolutely it was too much but it wasn't. It was at 4.7 seconds against the Stanley Cup champs when the odds were so stacked against the them, when the team just had a disallowed goal a minute prior, when Quick was sensational all game, it was right. It was perfect!
Nothing astounds me more than the fact that all of Canada hated him exactly one month ago for his remarks against team Canada's Junior team. Today, he is a hero, at least in Edmonton, and those remarks? History.
Yakupov is a sensational player who clearly wants to win and has a passion and drive that many of us lack. I for one am glad that he has brought his personality to the league. Hockey is not confined to gentlemen with cuts, scrapes, missing teeth, and bruised fists. It is also for the energetic, immature, naive boys who grew up wanting to be in the NHL and will make every moment of it memorable.
