Brad May played hard.
He loved the battle areas - in front of the net, in the corners, and at the lines. Every time May had the opportunity to use his will against his opponent he would rise to the challenge. Many times in Brad's 1000 game career, that challenge also meant dropping the gloves. Brad it loved every time.
Many players will say (even the heavyweight enforcers), that they didn't like to fight. That it messed with their heads and the anxiety it caused was mentally exhausting. Brad doesn't feel that way - he LOVED it. In fact he says that is one of the things he misses most about not playing - he can't fight.
However, May was much more than a fighter. He was a great teammate, always a fan favorite and an ambassador of the game where ever he played.
He also scored some big goals.
Brad May scored 131 goals in his career, but none was more memorable for hockey fans than the one scored on April 24th, 1993.
May was playing for the Buffalo Sabres and they were deadlocked in overtime against the heavily favored Boston Bruins. It was the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and the Sabres had miraculously won the first 3 games. They needed one more to end it. They couldn't give the Bruins any life.
And Brad May ended any hopes of a comeback. May received a pass cutting through the neutral zone from Sabre legend, Pat LaFontaine. Brad beat Bruins Hall of Famer, Ray Bourque 1 on 1, put a sick move on the tender, Andy Moog, and ended it.
The goal was beautiful and important, but the call by Rick Jeanneret was what made it even more special. Jeanneret screamed "Mayday!" again and again after Brad scored and the entire scene will be forever etched in our minds.
And with one goal, "Mayday" become his nickname for life.
Mayday is a very charismatic guy with tons of stories. We revisit the famous goal, but we also talk about his humble beginnings to first round draft pick, the grind of establishing himself as an NHL regular, and the Stanley Cup with the Ducks in 2007.