Watch 44-Year-Old Pavel Bure Score a Beauty Five-Hole Goal
Remember the Vancouver Canucks of the ’90s? That was the dream. They had those glorious black-and-orange skate jerseys, coach Pat Quinn in his prime, and that heroic (yet heartbreaking) 1994 Stanley Cup run. But most importantly, they had Pavel Bure, the Russian Rocket. With 437 goals under his belt, he was, hands down, the most electrifying player in the city’s history (and certainly the one with the coolest hockey card). But injuries forced him to retire from the NHL at the premature age of 31.
Well, lest anyone think the man’s lost his groove, Bure scored an absolute Internet-breaker of a goal during a World Legends Hockey League semi-final game in Russia on Wednesday. Behold as the 44-year-old undresses two defenders, textbook style, and goes five-hole on the backhand.
Great. Ceasar’s. Ghost! Slippery Pavel’s still got the mitts. Team Russia went on to defeat Finland 6-2 to advance to Saturday’s finals. The WLHL, which was actually launched by Bure, is comprised of veteran stars aged 45 and older. Okay, so maybe Bure’s a year too young for the league, but as he’s just proven, age means nothing! Your move, Jaromir Jagr.
And if you’re feeling nostalgic for the Canucks of yore, the team will don those retro skate jerseys once again on February 13, when they face the Leafs, to celebrate their 20th year at the Rogers Arena.
Aw hell, just for old time’s sake, here’s a clip of #96’s iconic skate-to-stick goal from back in 1996. Vintage Pasha.
