On Saturday, hockey teams around North America will have their St. Patrick's Day gimmicks, whether it's the New Jersey Devils rocking the Christmas tree sweaters or the Chicago Express sporting those incredible beer pint jerseys.
The Erie Otters of the OHL also get their Irish on for March 17 — by turning their ice green. Nothing like taking a hard hit to the glass, getting your bell rung and then trying to reestablish equilibrium by staring at a rink that looks like someone spilled a bottle of mouthwash ...
This is the Otters' last home game of the regular season, so it's a combination of St. Patrick's Day and Mario Lemieux Foundation/Fan Appreciation Night. They've been doing the green ice thing for a few seasons at Tullio Arena. They also have special jerseys that are auctioned for charity; here is Otters Merchandise Manager Amber Johnson modeling the jersey.
Notice the numbering? That's a Tampa Bay Lightning-inspired font from the late 1990s. (Rob Zamuner approves.) They're pretty cool looking; for the bar was pretty much set at leprechaunian levels after this one.