Hockey Things: What Caught Our Eye Last Week (April 2 Edition)

The final week of April means we formally say goodbye to regular season hockey but as the calendar turns to May and the playoffs, this past week gave us some amazing stories to discuss: 

Malcolm Subban: The next great anthem singer 

Anthems are always part of NHL games. But when you get an active player to sing it, the experience becomes that much more special. 

Sabres goaltender Malcolm Subban grabbed the mic to sing the American national anthem and it may have been one of the best performances ever from an athlete. 

Take a listen. 

Both teams clearly appreciated the performance, and it's not something you see every day.

Here's hoping Subban gives an encore performance next season. 

Welcome to the NHL, Tom Hodges 

The EBug made its return last week.

The Anaheim Ducks season couldn't end quietly as both John Gibson and Anthony Stolarz were forced out of the season finale against Dallas due to injuries. That meant Tom Hodges was needed to finish the third period in what was a tight 2-2 game. 

The 28-year-old life insurance salesman would be pressed into service for the Ducks and played the entire third period for Anaheim making two saves on three shots. 

Being the Dallas in-house emergency backup, we were treated to the amazing footage of Hodges in a Stars mask, pads, blocker, and catcher while wearing a Ducks No. 68 jersey with no nameplate on the back of it. 

Amazing. 

The Ducks may have lost 4-2 as the Stars would score on Hodges for the game-winning goal but even with the loss, both teams both had fun with the moment with the Ducks celebrating his effort as if they walked away with the win. 

Tis the season for buzzer beaters 

Who doesn't love a buzzer-beater? 

The Oshawa Generals were eliminated from the OHL playoffs by the Kingston Frontenacs this past weekend but they refused to go down without a fight. Generals captain and Edmonton Oilers prospect Tyler Tullio's wrist shot with 1.5 seconds left forced overtime in Game 6 of their series. 

Playoff heroics are always fun!