Brouwer conservatively celebrating. (Photo credit: Patrick McDermott)

A few weeks ago, Michael Wurman, Director of Game Entertainment and TV Production for the Washington Capitals, teased a special goal celebration for Troy Brouwer. During the Capitals open practice at Verizon Center on January 17, Brouwer busted a move and performed PSY’s Gangnam Style dance in skates. Wurman threatened that once Brouwer scores, that footage would be seen again.

“That song. Oy,” Wurman said. “But the people have spoken, they want it.”

On Friday, after Brouwer scored his third goal of the year with a perfectly placed shot over Ilya Bryzgalov’s right shoulder, Wurman gave the people what they wanted.

Video expertly taken by Melissa Allen. Everybody follow her at @Love4Greenie.

With PSY’s Gangnam Style blasting over the speakers, Brouwer dances on the jumbotron.

“It’s one of those times where I had a lot of time,” Brouwer said of his goal after Saturday’s optional practice. “I had a good look, and I was able to make my shot. Sometimes it doesn’t always work out perfectly in a game, and you’re a lot more rushed.”

But Troy, the jumbotron. What did you think of the game ops guys playing your dance?

“I have no problems with it,” Troy said with a laugh. “I think it’s funny!”

Brouwer continued: “I know everyone wants me to do it after a goal,” he admitted. “But it’s kind of tough to do something like that. That’s usually terms for getting into a fight. I’d love to be able to treat the fans, but, at the same time, we don’t need that crap [in hockey].”

Wrong, Troy. Yes, we do.

Photo credit: @WashCaps

Thursday night at Verizon Center, the Washington Capitals held an open practice and offered free concessions to fans to say sorry for the NHL lockout. The free stuff was cool and all and yay hockey is back, but here’s the real story: Troy Brouwer did the Gangnam Style dance.

We’ve got an epidemic on our hands, people.

Forsberg did it first but Brouwer has more panache.

I think this marks the endpoint of Gangnam Style by the way. PSY’s ironic earworm about the excesses of western culture has finally permeated the final corner of the world. With Troy Brouwer’s ice dance, PSY can now retire to — oh who am I kidding he’s probably going to be in like eight Super Bowl commercials.

GIFs of Brouwer Dancing to Gangnam Style

Created by Alzner

GIF by forsse90.

We almost broke the internets when we published video of Caps first-round pick Filip Forsberg dancing to PSY’s “Gangnam Style” after a 6-0 blowout by Leksands IF. It appeared to be a once-in-a-blue-moon type of celebration – something I assumed the shy Forsberg would never do again.

But since then, Leksands IF has scored six goals in three straight games, including a 6-1 mollywhopping of Anton Gustafsson’s Asplövenon on Friday. The win returned Leksands IF to the top of the Swedish Allsvenskan League.

And it brought Forsberg and teammate Martin Janolhs back to the dance floor for an encore performance.

PSY’s “Gangnam Style” begins playing at 34 seconds. Forsberg begins dancing at 1:33.

This time, Forsberg kicks it up a notch, adding more showmanship and some razor-sharp footwork to the bit — because if there was one thing that last time lacked, it was the chance of a severed foot. The dance goes smoothly until Forsberg catches a rut in the carpet on his final hop, causing him to nearly head-butt a metal fan on the wall. Not sure how he’d explain that injury to George McPhee.

Hockey players are creatures of habit and superstition. 18-year-old Forsberg may now believe that having an elaborate dance routine similar to the Funkasaurus equals wins. While the lockout has crushed my soul, Filip Forsberg, you and your boy band dance moves are the only things that kept this from being the Worst October Ever.

Moar GIFs!

GIFs by forsse90.

On Saturday, Filip Forsberg‘s Leksands Idrottsförening delivered its biggest beatdown of the season defeating the Malmö Redhawks 6-0. Forsberg, who has been racking up points at a Gretzky-like pace, surprisingly didn’t get his name on the scoresheet, but he did deliver the most memorable moment of the day.

Celebrating their victory in the locker room, Viasat cameras caught the players blasting PSY’s “Gangnam Style.”

Forberg and teammate Martin Janolhs got up from the bench and perfectly executed the Gangnam Style dance. If you study this video as meticulously as I have, you’ll notice Forsberg has dance moves on par with JC Chasez in “It’s Gonna Be Me.”

Dare I say this is better than Bill Nye performing the dance? Surely better than the Giants busting it out on Sunday.

Filip, when you come to DC, bring the dance moves.

GIFs

Created by @broflacco

Thanks to HFBoard’s perry2perry for initially posting.