The reason we watch

I catch my fair share of sports viewing on the tube, and a few games live over the course of a year (including our underachieving-but-always-entertaining local eleven).  Every once in awhile I wonder what it is that draws me to watch, even if I don't have a particular interest in the outcome (as in the NBA and NHL playoffs this year).

This is why:  In last night's Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals, Andrew Shaw of the Chicago Blackhawks took a puck to the face during play in the first period.

Down goes Shaw -- down goes Shaw -- down goes Shaw.  But not for long.  Here is a view of Mr. Shaw in the second period after getting his cheek and the corner of his eye sown up:

And yes, he played after that, and played well.  For those who didn't watch, the Blackhawks came from behind in the last minute-and-change to win the Cup.  And if you took one (e.g., a puck to the eye socket) for the team along the way, you earn the right to do this (and to express your joy in whatever salty language you wish ---  the video is very NSFW):

With blood dripping down his face from the stitches that aren't quite staying closed.

Mr. Shaw reminded me why I watch.  It is to see excellence displayed -- sometimes in the form of well-developed talent, sometimes in the form of well-coached teamwork and strategy, and sometimes in the form of sheer courage and will.

P.S.  Mr. Shaw's favorite phrase in his Stanley Cup acceptance speech above (vulgar as it is) gives me very fond memories of my homeland in the North.  Pure joy.

UPDATE:  The above Cup-skating video was taken down.  This could turn out to be a whack-a-mole exercise, but here's another video of it:

Watch soon -- video of this could quickly end up in the ether.

UPDATE 2d:  A nice background story on Andrew Shaw, including that he was afraid to tell anyone about his broken hand at age 11 so he could keep playing hockey.