For the record, the last man allowed to play in the NHL was Craig MacTavish. But now and then, hockey fans get to see old-time hockey.
Say thank you to Calle Jarnkrok.
Calle Jarnkrok loses his helmet and it is the most glorious few seconds in NHL history. https://t.co/nPUTzb2vnW
— Jim Diamond (@diamondhockey) January 3, 2015What you see happened Saturday in Los Angeles, where Jarnkrok's Nashville Predators faced the Kings. Those flying locks remind fans of the time before the Preds were a glint in Gary Bettman's eyes. If not, of course, of the Hanson brothers.
Another oddity Saturday: Kings goalie Jonathan Quick allowed three goals on nine shots and got the hook from coach Darryl Sutter. In less than 10 minutes of play, no less.
Losing a helmet happens now and then, but only in spurts.
Jarnkrok, 23, is an obvious non-blond Swede in his first full season with the Preds. He skated on a line with Eric Nystrom and newcomer Mark Arcobello, who joined the roster on Saturday.
The Predators also called up Viktor Stalberg from their AHL Milwaukee affiliate. Arcobello was was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers for Derek Roy.
In case you don't remember, MacTavish was allowed to continue playing without a helmet after the its August 1979 ban against playing without them, thanks to a grandfather clause. He retired after the 1996-97 season.
Legend has it the first NHL player to wear a helmet was George Owen of the Boston Bruins in 1928-29.
Lids come off frequently in the NHL, but seeing flowing manes harkens back to the 1970s. It's still a glorious sight.