This season, HBO decided to spoil hockey fans once again by filming 24/7, a four-part series documenting the New York Rangers’ and Philadelphia Flyers’ ever enticing Road to the Winter Classic. Hockey die-hards were given the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the NHL world, whether it be in the team’s locker rooms or in the very homes of the NHL players for 24 hours, seven days a week. It was obvious that last year’s series featuring the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins delivered above and beyond the expectations of hockey fanatics, leaving viewers of the documentary begging for more. And just as last season’s series had its highlights and unforgettable moments, this season had its equal share. And yes, f-bombs were dropped as casually as ever.
One of the great aspects of 24/7 is how it showcases the otherwise unrevealed personalities of NHL players. This year’s unofficial star was Philadelphia net minder Ilya Bryzgalov who stole the spotlight within the first 10 minutes of the show. In the first episode, the goaltender’s attempt at a philosophical commentary on our universe, matched with his strong Russian accent, quickly proved that he would be a “humangous big” hit all series long. The goalie continued to entertain viewers with talks of Siberian Huskies and Chinese law regarding endangered tiger hunting.
Unfortunately, Bryzgalov’s struggles in late December landed him a spot on the bench for the Winter Classic, thereby exposing a darker side of the Russian net minder. Ultimately, the documentation of Bryzgalov’s misfortunes and dramatic shift in emotion portrayed a universal theme for NHL players: in an 82-game season, every player has their share of ups and downs.
This year’s 24/7 also gave hockey enthusiasts a close-up of one the NHL’s most talented emerging stars, Claude Giroux. It’s clear that Giroux, nicknamed “G” by his teammates, is a dynamic player with loads of raw talent. However, as can only be exposed through HBO’s microphones, he’s equally talented in his ability to “chirp” at opposing players in an attempt to throw them off their game. Giroux’s battle with a concussion in the early episodes also provided insight on a hot button issue in the NHL. The star forward was subjected to various tests and treatments to ensure his physical well-being while his team eagerly awaited his return. On his first game back, Giroux recorded four points, solidifying his superstar status.
On the flipside, it’s safe to say that all 24/7 fans were extremely eager to see what antics Rangers’ head coach John Tortorella had to offer, and after the first episode it was obvious that fans would not be disappointed. Tortorella threw profanities around and gave intense speeches both between periods and on the bench all series long. However, it was his unknown compassionate side of Tortorella that stole the spotlight, uncovered in the story of Liam Traynor, a young Rangers fan suffering from cerebral palsy. The two met at a Garden of Dreams charity event and have shared a strong bond ever since. They contact each other frequently and share support for one another. Liam explains in 24/7 that “it really means the world to [him]” that Tortorella has his back. It’s exceedingly clear that HBO did a wonderful job showcasing Tortorella’s impact on and off the ice. His passion and dedication to the game is clearly enormous and he has certainly gained respect from true hockey fans.
Once again, HBO has taken 24/7 viewers beyond the surface of the hockey world, and it’s difficult to ask anything more from them. Although this year’s edition of 24/7 was somewhat reminiscent of the previous installment, the cast of players and coaches provided their own quirks and charms, ensuring that the series stayed fresh and filled with entertaining moments. Ultimately, it’s the teams’ distinctiveness that allows for each edition of the documentary to provide further insight into the dynamics of the NHL. With the next 24/7 just a year away, someone’s got to get ready to step up and fill Bryzgalov’s skates.
