From NHL players getting romantic with their equipment and struggling mightily with the boards, to executives nearly falling out of their seats in disbelief, there was no shortage of hilarity around the league in 2014.
Here are the top five GIFs from another weird and wonderful calendar year in the NHL:
Tortorella goes after the Flames in the tunnel
(Courtesy: CBC)
Former Vancouver Canucks head coach John Tortorella has to be restrained while confronting Calgary Flames players and coaches in the tunnel during the first intermission of a game featuring a series of fights that begin immediately after the opening draw.
Tortorella is fined $25,000 and suspended for 15 days. You have to hand it to him, though. Taking on Brian McGrattan while the Flames enforcer is in full gear takes cojones.
Dorsett pays unexpected visit to former teammates
(Courtesy: Sportsnet Pacific)
Canucks winger Derek Dorsett says hello to some former Columbus Blue Jackets teammates after Brian Gibbons dodges a hit, sending Dorsett head-over-heels into the opposing bench.
Tumbling into the bench is truly an art, and kudos to Dorsett for popping right back up and getting back into the play.
Khudobin needs help getting over the boards
(Courtesy: FOX Sports Carolinas, via @myregularface)
If there's one GIF that sums up the Carolina Hurricanes' season, this is it.
Goaltender Anton Khudobin can't quite make it over the boards during a recent loss to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden, eventually requiring the help of fellow netminder Cam Ward and defenseman Brett Bellemore.
Khudobin should ask Dorsett for some tips when they meet again in January.
Maple Leafs execs swear, facepalm, recline
(Courtesy: Sportsnet Ontario)
Toronto Maple Leafs executives (from left to right) Dave Nonis, Claude Loiselle and Dave Poulin each react in their own spectacular way to Tyler Bozak missing a glorious chance against the Blue Jackets in March.
There's almost too much going on here.
Nonis' facepalm and disgusted lean are the best parts, but Poulin's definite F-bomb and Loiselle's apparent one are icing on the cake.
Jenner gets intimate with his stick
(Courtesy: CBC)
Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner makes out with his stick on the bench, and Don Cherry points out the quirk on a "Coach's Corner" segment in April.
Come on, Boone. We know it gets lonely on the road, but this is ridiculous. At least buy it dinner first.
Jenner later breaks this particular twig but continues the ritual with a second one.
Good luck topping that, 2015.
