Is IceBurgh the Most Terrifying Mascot in The NHL?

Let's, for one second, take a step back from the playoff races and examine the curious world of NHL mascots.

On Tuesday, Capitals Kremlin took an off-beat and humorous look at mascots around the NHL and determined that IceBurgh, the warm and cuddly mascot of the Pittsburgh Penguins, is the most terrifying sideshow attraction in the NHL. Really? IceBurgh? That cute guy pictured above?

It's not so much that I question the decision, but the reasoning behind the decision.

The reasoning, of course, was IceBurgh's cameo appearance in the 1995 abomination, Sudden Death, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme -- and Luc Robitaille! -- where the Penguins lovable mascot attempts to destroy our hero in one of the most absurd fight sequences Hollywood has ever produced.



The problem? Who actually watched enough of Sudden Death to know IceBurgh was even in it? Among the other finalists are "Thrash" of the Atlanta Thrashers, and "Fin The Whale" of the Vancouver Canucks.

You're probably thinking "Gee, CK, he doesn't look so bad," but you're wrong. From Fin's personal bio: "favorite book is Moby Dick." If I recall correctly, Moby Dick killed the entire crew of Captain Ahab's ship and walked away scot free.

Fair enough. On top of that, Fin also has a habit of eating children and making out with Pamela Anderson.

Having said all of that, any discussion involving terrifying mascots in the NHL has to begin -- and probably end -- with the menacing character standing just to the left of Teemu Selanne's family.



This demon spawn of Donald Duck and the prince of darkness himself is known as "Wild Wing," the mascot of the Anaheim Ducks, and just look at that scowl. Honestly, that looks like something that should be lurking outside the window of high school girls in an upcoming slasher movie.

Sorry, IceBurgh, Thrash and Fin, you guys can't hold a candle to Wild Wing, and judging by his appearance, he'll probably kick your ass if you even try.