Angel mascot has opponents chuckling with ‘sin bin’ stunt

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An Alberta junior hockey team has brought a heavenly idea to the ice with an angel mascot that stares down the opposing team’s players while they sit in the sin bin.

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As reported by ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski this week, when it comes to their opponents, the Spruce Grove Saints are getting innovative with their shame game.

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The British Columbia Hockey League outfit has had Chucky the Angel as its mascot since 2019 — complete with a halo over his head and wings on his back.

Silent judgement

Chucky has new angelic duties for home games this season. Whenever a visiting player is in the penalty box during a TV timeout, the mascot skates over and stands in front of the glass, silently judging the player as fans watch in delight.

ESPN said the mascot has done this move three times this season, including during the Saints’ 5-4 overtime win Friday over the Vernon Vipers.

Vipers forward Leon Bussmann was issued a misconduct penalty for an illegal head check during that game. That’s when Chucky took his cue to skate over, stop in front of the penalty box and stare at the player.

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In video footage of the incident, Bussmann lets a big smile slip.

“Honestly, it was a great moment and we’re happy that the player from the other team took things so light-heartedly as well,” said Trevor Miller, the Saints’ director of communications.

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Meet the mascot

The performer inside the Chucky suit this season is a 14-year-old student named Eric Weidman, the outlet reported.

“I’m smiling inside the suit, grinning ear to ear, and I’m trying not to laugh,” he told ESPN, adding the idea for the new act came during a game last month against the Trail Smoke Eaters.

“It was during a TV timeout and the T-shirt toss. I’m like, ‘OK, this would be really fricking funny.’

“I’m like, ‘Oh yeah, this is ironic to me. I’m dressed like an angel.’”

Bussmann wound up scoring in the third period to force overtime.

“I think he repented for his sins and things went his way,” Weidman said with a laugh.

The Saints are perhaps saying a little prayer for better results as the season wears on. As of Wednesday night, the team was second from the basement in the Interior East Division despite a 10-8 record.

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