The Struggle Is Real

COVID-19 social distancing makes playoff hockey impossible right now, but I feel like I need to keep my sign-making skills sharp. It doesn't hurt to spread a little positivity. If the TP shortage continues much longer, I may have to repurpose my sign supplies for other doodies!

Cackle-acky

If you don't know what Cackalacky is, here is an explanation. Happy October!

Panther Entrails

Created for the Canes vs. Florida Panthers game on October 13, 2015. Too bad my crystal ball malfunctioned.

Storm Brewing

Created this sign for the October 13, 2015 game against the Florida Panthers - basically so I could wear my fuzzy witch hat.

Want to Be Hexed

Latest in the "Cheer if" collection that I hold up when the other team scores. Created for the October 13, 2015 game against the Florida Panthers.

No Safe Island

One of two signs for Opening Night, October 10, 2014 against the New York Islanders.

Spelling It Out for the Isles

One of my signs for Opening Night, October 10, 2014 against the New York Islanders.

Giving Up the Playoffs

This sign seemed appropriate for the Canes game on the Friday following Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Especially given that the trade deadline was that same week and it seemed like Jim Rutherford had sort of given up any hope of the Canes making the playoffs this year. His only trade was to send Tuomo Ruutu, much loved by the fans, to New Jersey for Andrei Loktionov and a 2017 third-round pick. But I haven't given up on the playoffs yet.

Black & Blue Jackets

My first sign related to the Columbus Blue Jackets. It also works in the holidays, since the game occurred on December 23, 2013.

Faulk's Night 3

I already posted this sign, but finally I was able to use it ON Guy Fawkes Night, November 5, 2013, at a game against Philly, while wearing a Guy Fawkes mask.

Goose Egg

What I like about this sign is that it can be interpreted in several ways that are all valid. Apart from the Easter eggy connection, it could mean "Send them home with a big fat 0." If that were the case, the sign might not be useful after the opponent does score a goal. But also it could mean send them home with a zero because they didn't score a point in the standings (didn't win the game). So it could still be meaningful throughout the game. And finally, it could mean "Send them home with a goose egg (lump) on their noggin," which is always useful no matter what happens during the game.

Unfortunately, the rookie camera guy apparently didn't understand any of the meanings because he didn't see fit to direct the camera my way and the Canes lost rather miserably Tuesday, March 19, when I first used this sign. It eventually got shown Thursday, May 21, though.

Saint, Patrick

Happy St. Patrick Dwyer Day! Made this for the game on Thursday, March 14. Patrick Dwyer even scored that night, but the Canes ended up losing to the Crapitals. Better luck next time!

Spring Forward

I had been having a hard time coming up with any fresh ideas for a sign for the New Jersey Devils, since we play them so often. But it was the Saturday night before Daylight Savings Time, and eventually the idea just 'sprung' on me.

Faulk's Night 2

I had made this sign last year but was never able to use it at a game because Faulk got sent back to the minors. So, this year when the Checkers played a game in Raleigh on January 6, I got to unveil it then, since Faulk was playing. Unfortunately, it wasn't near Guy Fawkes Night (remember, remember, the fifth of November), but I guess the pun still works the rest of the year. As a bonus, my seats for the Checkers game were awesome, right behind the Checkers bench. So I was able to get this really cool photo with Faulk, himself, in it.

Here's An Epiphany -

The Charlotte Checkers hosted the Norfolk Admirals at the PNC Arena in Raleigh on January 6, 2013. (January 6 is Epiphany.) As this was during the lockout, I bought tickets and thought it might be the only chance I'd have to see hockey in Raleigh this season.

As it turned out, an agreement was reached between the players and owners the day before this game. "Un"fortunately, I had already made a sign referencing the lockout before the agreement was made public. I just knew if I made a sign about the lockout that it would be rendered useless before gametime - which is why I went ahead and made it anyway. That's right: you can thank me for the end of the lockout.

So, yeah, this is one of those signs I made that never got used. I should make a category for that.

Kwanzaa

I suppose Boxing Day would have been the more obvious way to go for a theme the day after Christmas. But my name is not Obvious Sign Chick.

No L

Happy to say this Christmas sign turned out to be prophetic as the Canes defeated the New Jersey Devils on December 26, 2011, when goalie Cam Ward was credited with his first NHL goal.

Thankful Not to Be from Buffalo

This one got a nice round of applause from the crowd at the RBC Center.

That Guy Faulk's Night

I made this sign earlier in the season, when Justin Faulk was playing for the Carolina Hurricanes, but since then, he has been sent back down to the Charlotte Checkers, the Canes' minor league affiliate. I should know better than to make signs too early! Seems like players get traded or injured when I make a sign in their honor. Too bad this one only works close to the Fifth of November. Maybe he'll be around next year.

Witches' Brewins

First used at the Canes v. Boston Bruins game on October 12, 2011. After all, Salem is right down the road from Boston. Bahston thinks they're wicked good, but the Canes were wicked better and won 3-2.