5. #HartnellDown
OK, this isn’t one moment. But we can’t make this list without it. Only Scott Hartnell would take a Twitter joke that was … well, making fun of his complete inability to stay on his skates and turn it into a great cause. Hartnell has donated thousands of dollars since starting the #HartnellDown Foundation during his time as a Flyer, and the charity continues today in Columbus.
Please share your favorite #HartnellDown in the comments.
4. Hartnell scores, fights immediately.
There’s some history between Scott Hartnell and Dion Phaneuf that we’ll get to later on this list, but this moment was just typical Hartsy. He taps in a goal from the door step, then without even really celebrating, turns around after Phaneuf clearly said something to him. They stared each other down and dropped the gloves.
That’s two-thirds of the Gordie Howe hat trick at the exact same time.
3. The glove throw
This was certainly his dumbest moment in orange and black, but we can safely look back and laugh at it. Perhaps that’s because Martin Biron made the stop on the penalty shot and Mike Richards scored to give the Flyers the win in overtime. In any event, it’s hard not to laugh at this one.
2. “Suck it, Phaneuf!”
Speaks for itself.
1. Hulkamania.
The Flyers and Penguins played a playoff series for the ages in the first round of the 2012 playoffs. Just prior to that playoff series, Scott Hartnell helped set the tone.
The defining moment of that 2012 spring will never be the plethora of penalties and suspensions or the complete lack of goaltending or the amazing comeback win in Game 1 or even that the Flyers advanced in the series. It will be the video above. Hartnell mocking a Hulk Hogan lookalike in one of two regular season battles that paved the way for the insanity that came in the playoffs.
Of course, this story has a sad ending: Cy Clark, the Pens fan who portrayed Hulk Hogan, lost a battle with cancer earlier this year. Hartnell was the first person to offer his condolences, which goes to show you what a great guy he is.
* * *
Honorable mentions include … the Hurricane Sandy charity game in Atlantic City during the 2012 lockout, partly organized by Hartnell … his goal to tie Game 6 of the 2010 Stanley Cup Final with minutes left in the third period … his OT goal with seconds left vs. Pittsburgh late in the 2012 regular season … and finally, Steve Hartnell.
thanks to readers on twitter for helping out with the list
