Two vivacious Vancouver Canucks fans have taken the NHL season and playoffs by storm with their skin tight green spandex suits and hilarious antics. Their in-game rituals and creative cheers send energy through the crowd that has helped the Canucks become the favorite in the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs. Without them, who knows where the Canucks would be.

The Origin of the Green Men

The men have made it clear they want to remain anonymous, and go by the names "Sully" and "The Force" when making public appearances. That's right, the Vancouver Canucks Green Men have ventured outside of the arena and are making appearances on various television and radio shows. Their goal is to bring the playoff atmosphere to all of Vancouver, especially for the fans who can't afford to go to the games. If you haven't seen them yet, here's a glimpse:

The Price of Fame

As it goes with most national sensations, the Green Men's fame and antics have become a topic of controversy among fans, players, and even the league. The NHL has decided to allow the men to wear the slightly risqué costumes, but has cracked down on some of the various tactics that are used to get into the opposing players heads.

For example, the Green Men can no longer: touch or shake the glass, verbally engage the opposing players, or perform their go to move, the handstand. Even with these restrictions in place, Sully and The Force are confident that their new material will be equally entertaining, and distracting to the opposing players. Don't miss the crazy Vancouver Canucks Green Men perform their stunts through the remainder of the NHL playoffs.

The Mystery and Mystique of the Green Men

Questions like, who are these guys? How do they get those seats? And why green? Surround the Canucks Green Men. Some of these questions can be answered, but some obviously cannot. The first game Sully and The Force dressed up for was in December of 2009 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, and they got the idea from a character in a popular American television show "Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia."

The fans instantly loved the shocking hilarity of the costumes, and the tradition was born. Consistently sitting next to the opposing team's penalty box can be expensive unless the seats are owned by a past employer as is the case with the Green Men.

Although this season their tickets have been given to them for free, but now during playoff time, they have to pay their own way. The expense has not stopped the Vancouver Canucks Green Men from traveling as far as Nashville to support their team in hope of helping the franchise win their first Stanley Cup.

Go Green Men. Go Canucks. Go Vancouver.