My Playoff Beard Journey
So I saw all these hockey players growing wild beards during playoffs and thought: What’s that about? Decided to dig into the tradition myself during last season’s Stanley Cup run. Grabbed my laptop and started researching like crazy. Turns out it’s this whole superstition where players stop shaving once playoffs start – keep it growing until they get eliminated or win the Cup. Sounded messy but fun, so I committed.
First week was easy – just skipped my usual morning shave routine. The stubble showed up quick! But man, by day 10 it got real. That annoying itchy phase hit hard. Found myself scratching like a madman during games. Used some cheap conditioner from my shower – rubbed it in rough like I saw guys do in locker room videos. Helped a little, but man… scratching became my new hobby.
Hit the three-week wall:
- Neck beard grew faster than cheeks – looked ridiculous
- My coffee mug always had stray hairs floating in it
- Wife started calling it my “barbecue stain beard”
- Seriously considered trimming – felt like wearing a wool scarf in summer
Felt stupid watching my team lose Game 5 while tugging at this patchy mess. Thought about quitting right then. But next morning I saw highlights of veterans with these epic gray beards still playing – changed my mind. Decided I’d stick it out no matter how scraggly it got.
The real shift happened during conference finals. Woke up one day and suddenly it looked like an actual beard – finally filled in decently. Scored free nachos at the sports bar because the bartender “respected the dedication.” Even started understanding why players say it builds team spirit – caught strangers nodding at my beard during games like we shared some secret club.
Watched the Finals with this crazy sweaty nest on my face. Every overtime goal had me grabbing it like a stress ball! When my team lifted the Cup? You bet I cried into that scratchy thing. Shaved it off next morning though – damn thing felt like wearing a dead animal in July heat. Weirdly kinda miss it now. Started saving trimmings for some goofy shadow box project. Will absolutely do it all over again next playoffs!
