The Canucks 2012 Playoff Beard Challenge

With only a few games left in the 2011/12 NHL Regular Season, you know it’s only a matter of time until you begin to see how the more passionate hockey fans separate themselves from the crowd. That’s right – it’s playoff beard time!

Last year, the Canucks Hockey Blog Playoff Beard Challenge was a phenomenal success! Not only did we help raise money for a wicked cause through the NHLPA Beard-a-thon, our facial hair helped the boys in blue come within one game of the actual Stanley Cup (give or take obviously). One game! So being the superstitious folk we are, we knew there was only one thing for us to do this week – announce the Canucks 2012 Playoff Beard Challenge!

To participate, simply take a picture of your beard from Day 1 through to the end of the Canucks playoff run and share it with the world. But what’s the best way to share you ask? By joining and/or supporting the official CHB Beard-a-thon team!

For those not aware, the NHLPA Beard-a-thon raised nearly $200,000 for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada. And why the Heart & Stroke Foundation?

The Heart and Stroke Foundation is dedicated to giving Canadians longer, fuller lives because heart disease and stroke take 1 in 3 Canadians too soon and it is the #1 killer of women. Donations fuel research, health education and social change to improve heart health for all Canadians. The Foundation is dedicated to funding innovative research and medical breakthroughs, including funding studies into women and heart disease, the risk factors for different ethnicities, children’s health and adults dealing with congenital heart defects.

Pretty awesome charity to support if you ask me. And because we’re supporting a great cause, we want to do it the right way:

The Rules of the 2012 Canucks Playoff Beard Challenge:

1. You don’t talk about Beard Club.. err.. the Challenge.
2. You don’t talk about Beard Club.
3. If you can’t do the beard, commit to something and stick to it (special ritual, personal habit, etc.). We here at the Challenge do not discriminate against those who can’t/don’t/won’t grow facial hair. We’ll even accept virtual beards for the folicly challenged.
4. A beard is a beard is a beard. Goatees and mustaches are fakes.
5. Your last shave takes place the morning of April 8th the first game (updated to conform with the Beardathon rules).

Once you’re in, you’re in. Unless you’re not. We’re not that hardcore. But keep in mind the idea of a playoff challenge is to keep it going – and Lord knows we’ll make you feel shame should something untoward happen to the Canucks in the post-season AFTER you quit. And in just in case it comes up, the wishes of your significant other do not trump Beard Club. In fact, you should encourage him/her/it to heed the call to challenge and join up.

So do you have what it takes? Do ya, punk?