It’s been a playoff hockey tradition for the past three years and it has become more popular now than ever. The rules are simple, a Twitter user needs only to submit their two picks (one from each team) to score the overtime winner using the hashtag #bucciovertimechallenge and ESPN’s John Buccigross will retweet some and give out a few t-shirts. It started off as only a few retweets to some lucky winners, but it has grown exponentially. The lore of winning a t-shirt from Buccigross has people cheating, even though they can buy a shirt on his website.
Brent Seabrook scores from the right point and the Blackhawks win it 6-5. Goal came 9:51 into OT.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 20, 2013
Seabrook/Bergeron #bucciovertimechallenge @Buccigross
— Lop (@JRayner3344) June 20, 2013
These two winners submitted their entries right as Brent Seabrook scored the winning goal (Vincenti has protected his tweets now) and ended up winning. I’m willing to give Buccigross the benefit of the doubt because so many people are participating, but you would think that he would make a note of what time the overtime started. Buccigross saw the Deadspin story that uncovered this and responded on Twitter.
Just read Deadspin post. It's both funny and of course, sad. Like I've said, I take early picks, middle and late picks. I guess some are…
— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) June 20, 2013
..too late. I don't see time stamps on my mentions. I see ten minutes ago, ect, but not exact time on my IPhone. I will keep trying…
— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) June 20, 2013
…to make sure picks are in on time. Maybe I will have to cut it off once the puck drops for the beginning of OT. I guess that's the answer
— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) June 20, 2013
Most importantly-we've raised over $11,000 so far that will go out to hockey related charities once Cup is raised. Then we will raise more.
— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) June 20, 2013
I love Barry's tone in the post. It's light hearted and fun which is how I've approached this. And will continue to. I'm confident 98% of…
— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) June 20, 2013
..the winners are legit & now that we won't take submissions once puck drops in OT, makes it easier. Sorry, ya'll. Off to the post office
— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) June 20, 2013
I’m sure now that he knows he will pay closer attention to the time stamps of the winners, and hopefully the few that cheat don’t ruin the fun for the masses, because that is usually what happens.
[Deadspin]
