What are the odds.

Last Thursday, December 8th, at 7 p.m., Ben Hutton sat in a stall beside Erik Gudbranson in the visiting dressing room at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay. The Canucks were coming off a tough loss in New Jersey and Hutton wanted to do something to fire the boys up.

He proclaimed, loud for all to hear, that if Gudbranson scored the game-winning goal that night, he’d let his defence partner choose his next haircut.

“The boys laughed,” smiled Hutton, “and the odds were in my favour on that one.”

Gudbranson had 11 career goals in 335 games before facing the Lightning and had yet to score since being traded to Vancouver.

“I was due,” laughed Gudbranson.

With 10:57 to play in the 1st period of a 5-1 Canucks win over the Lightning, Gudbranson fired a shot wide, it came off the boards and deflected into the net off goaltender Ben Bishop.

Jayson Megna had two goals on the night, as did Jack Skille, but Gudbranson had the winner and a juicy decision to make.

“I had so many options,” said Gudbranson, “but I didn’t want to ruin the kid’s life. At first I thought about a nice rat tail, then I was inspired by an old photo I found.”

The picture (right) was of Canucks assistant coach Doug Lidster, on old headshot to be specific. In it, Lidster is rocking a serious mullet.

Now Hutton is too. Just call him Kenny Powers.

Monday’s team day off in Raleigh, North Carolina, included a trip to the barber shop for Hutton and Gudbranson.

“I was nervous because he was laughing and the hairdressers were laughing, all looking at his phone,” explained Hutton. “I thought oh no, what’s going to happen, then she started cutting away and now I have this!

“I’m just glad we got a big two points. Haircut well worth it, I needed one anyways.”

Hutton will sport the North Carolina Neck Warmer for four days before cutting it…or not?

“Who knows. Maybe it’ll grow on me!”

*****

Hutton is no stranger to a mullet, as you can see below.

It’s just a shame we couldn’t be there to witness the cut. Had the Canucks won against the Capitals on Sunday, the Canucks social media channels would have been covering the event live for no reason other than it’s awesome.

The mood wasn’t right after the 3-0 loss, however, so Hutton and Gudbranson went alone.

Everything is better when you win; here’s to ending the trip with a nice victory tonight in Carolina!

Derek Jory – @NoJoryous

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