Fansided

Australian hockey player with epic goal celebration (Video)

By Phil Watson

Mar 1, 2014; Vancouver, BC, Canada; A puck during practice for the Vancouver Canucks the day before the Heritage Classic hockey game against the Ottawa Senators at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2014; Vancouver, BC, Canada; A puck during practice for the Vancouver Canucks the day before the Heritage Classic hockey game against the Ottawa Senators at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Who knew Australian hockey was a thing?

Well, it is and it’s been a big summer (winter down under) for the Aussies. Nathan Walker, an Australian left wing, became the first player from his country to be selected in the NHL draft when the Washington Capitals took him in the third round in June.

And now a player in the Australian Ice Hockey League has given us an epic goal celebration that no one—no one—should try on their home rink.

Ric Del Basso scored the game-winning goal in a shootout for the Perth Thunder in a victory over the Melbourne Ice. Del Basso took off on what looked to be the normal swim celebration … until he did this:

He flipped himself up on the top of his head, slid from the blue line to nearly the red line, successfully avoided breaking his neck and was mobbed by his teammates.

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Del Basso has not scored a goal in regulation time this season and has scored just three in 65 games in his AIHL career.

So putting the puck in the net at any time would be a big deal for Del Basso, making the silly celebration a little easier to understand.

It does beg the question, however: When does one practice skidding across the ice on the top of one’s helmet without a coach, rink manager or concerned citizen issuing a reprimand (perhaps equipped with a lasso).

The Australian Ice Hockey League was launched in 2000 and includes eight teams: the Adelaide Adrenaline, CBR Brave, Melbourne Ice, Melbourne Mustangs, Newcastle North Stars, Perth Thunder, Sydney Bears and Sydney Ice Dogs.