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THN.com Top 10: Scary goalie masks

Andy Moog's mask alone could intimidate shooters. (Brian Winkler/Getty Images)

John Grigg
2008-10-29 14:31:00

With Halloween fast approaching, this week’s Top 10 focuses on scary art, in the form of goalie masks.

To learn more about the stories behind these ghoulish designs and the history of goalie masks in general, pick up our latest special issue, The Hockey News’ Greatest Masks of All Time, on newsstands now.

Top 10 Scary Goalie Masks
10	Jacques Plante’s original mask, first worn in a game Nov. 1, 1959	Simplistic Hannibal Lector-like creepiness at its best.
9	Brian Hayward’s 1991-92 San Jose Sharks mask	Just when you thought it was safe to go back on the ice.
8	Franklin Farrell’s Team USA mask from the 1932 Winter Olympics	Not only would I be scared to stand in front of shooters wearing this flimsy thing, but Farrell looks reptilian wearing it.
7	Denis Lemieux’s Charlestown Chiefs mask from Slap Shot	When the team went mean, so did the equipment.
6	Gilles Gratton’s New York Rangers tiger mask	Legend has it Gratton used to growl at opposing players and once struck a cat’s pose and hissed during a brawl.
5	Gary Bromley’s 1980 Vancouver Canucks mask	Bromley’s mask could have been the inspiration for He-Man’s Skeletor character.
4	Curtis Sanford’s Vancouver Canucks “Sandman” mask	It’s the hollow eyes and fangs that get me.
3	Murray Bannerman’s 1980s Chicago Blackhawks mask	A Native-American motif that looks alien-creepy in a Japanese doll sort of way.
2	*Mike Smith’s 2008-09 Saw-themed Tampa Bay Lightning mask*	I don’t know what’s more disturbing, the images on the mask or the shameless cross-promotion.
1	Andy Moog’s Boston Bruins mask	No surprise that it’s adorned with a bear, but the eyes and teeth on top are as intense as anything before or since.

The THN.com Top 10 appears Wednesdays only on TheHockeyNews.com.

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COMMENTS (24)

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cooper Posted
(2009-04-30 07:40:52)

Mike gillis is an idiot for putting sanford in the minors he is way better than laloser

The Keeper Posted
(2009-04-30 07:36:57)

The scariest masks are those that are simple and non cluttered. That Saw Mike Smith mask has no business being on the list. Plante and Bannerman are the best. You just can't make a scary mask these days. The molded fiberglass masks are the greatest.

felix Posted
(2009-04-30 07:36:57)

Thunder Bay Bombers skull mask is definitely the best goalie mask of all time.

Mi Terbenis Drty Posted
(2009-04-30 07:15:53)

They should make a mask of John Arimonti...cause his face is as scary as his voice..

Vincent Martucci Posted
(2009-04-30 07:15:48)

These masks are all creepy, but I think Henrik Lunquist of the Rangers should change his mask to a picture of Commissioner Bettman or Sam Rosen. This would surely scare any NHL player or future sportscasters.

Vincent Martucci Posted
(2009-04-30 07:15:48)

These masks are all creepy--but I think Henrick Lunquist should change his for a picture of Bettman which would definetly scare all N.H.L. players and there would be an increase in shooting percentages.

wilt Posted
(2009-04-30 07:15:40)

Evgeni Nabokov's.

Marek Posted
(2009-04-30 07:15:40)

Gerry Cheevers mask is not bad, but for me is winner Denis Lemieux’s Charlestown Chiefs mask. It is really scary mask, very scary.

Aron Posted
(2009-04-30 07:15:35)

What about cujo's masks?

Sandy Bean Posted
(2009-04-30 07:15:33)

I would submit Ken Danby's famous painting "At the Crease". Andrew Wyeth considered the painting, "...a terrifying and exciting picture." Nuff said.

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