Kiss Cam Memory (Help Needed!)

Ah, the Kiss Cam. There are plenty of haters out there. I've read their comments on various blogs and sites. However I'm betting there are also plenty out there that like the "gimmick" and also plenty who don't care either way.

Put me in that last category. I really don't care. People seem to think it's cute. And the occasional accidental zoom-in on siblings (who refuse to kiss) or Dancing Kevin giving his beverage sweet lovin' is good for a chuckle.

Regardless of how you feel about the Kiss Cam, it's hard to dislike what I am about to write about. A comment was made on one of my recent posts about how cool it was that Jake Voracek shouted "Leo!" with the rest of the Nationwide Arena crowd before the national anthem. It made me think about how great it is to see professional hockey players just having fun. Sure they are paid to play. Sure they want to win. But they are also human beings who are part of a spectator sport. When that realization is embraced, I think it's fantastic.

To bring football into this a little bit, NFL players like Chad Ochocinco love to play to the crowd. Granted, this can be seen as egotistical and attention-craving, but you can't deny that the hometown crowd enjoyed his elaborate celebrations in the endzone.

I'm getting to my point, really.

I was reminded of a Kiss Cam incident featuring none other that the hated Detroit Red Wings. It was during one of the Jackets' first seasons. The Kiss Cam would do its thing and focus on various couples in the crowd. Then, as a joke, it would zoom in on two players on the opposing team's bench. But during this game, something extra happened.

A Red Wings player (I want to say it was Steve Yzerman, but I could be way off), went over to the two players on the bench while they were still on camera. He planted a kiss on one of the player's cheeks. Laughter followed. What a hilarious moment at Nationwide!

What I like most about his memory is that it showed a hockey player just having fun, being human. I also liked how even someone on the hated Red Wings could bring about laughter and applause from the Nationwide crowd. I mean I HATE the Red Wings, but I loved what he did.

Now this is where I need your help fellow Jackets fans. I wasn't as much of a follower of the team as I am now. This is but a fuzzy memory for me. Heck, maybe I even dreamed this. But assuming I didn't, maybe someone who has a better memory than me could answer a few questions and set my memory straight.

Was I correct to say it was Steve Yzerman?
Who did he kiss?
Was he reprimanded for it? (I hope not)
In which season did this occur?
Has this act ever been duplicated by another player at another game? Maybe Yzerman did it again.

And to everyone out there reading: do you have any favorite stories you'd like to share regarding players (of any professional sport) showing their humorous side? If so, I'd love to hear them! Feel free to post a comment below!