Mike Lange’s iconic goal calls weren’t a string of undefeated success.
The ones that stuck emerged from a trial-and-error process.
“People gave him ideas and he would try some of them,” former Penguins executive Tom McMillan said. “Some didn’t work and he didn’t try them again. Some caught on and that became his calling card. There will never be another Mike Lange because you couldn’t do that again. You couldn’t copycat Mike because you would be too much of a copycat. He developed a unique style and that will never pass our way again.”
Lange’s goal calls were as much a part of the franchise’s identity as Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby.
Some of his best:
• “It’s a hockey night in Pittsburgh”
• “I’ll be cow-kicked”
• “Eddie Spaghetti”
• “He shoots and scores”
What a call. (I WAS there & could barely believe it.)
Thanks to radio technology & a pasty complexion, I spent just about as much time in the ‘80s w Mike Lange as I did anyone else.
I was so happy for him when the Pens finally won, I almost forgot I didn’t actually know him. pic.twitter.com/wHNs4zTq9p— Dave Dameshek (@Dameshek) February 20, 2025
• “Scratch my back with a hacksaw”
• “Great balls of fire”
Smiling like a butcher’s dog on us from above.
Thanks for everything you did for the Penguins and the city of Pittsburgh, Mikey. pic.twitter.com/37ftoEUwWg
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 20, 2025
• “Look out Loretta”
• “Buy Sam a drink and get his dog one too”
One of the best to do it. A friend and mentor to so many along the way. The legendary calls and the sound of so many magnificent moments. Blessed with an ability and timing to set the game on fire. “Buy Sam a drink and get his dog one too” for my first NHL goal. Thank you Mike… pic.twitter.com/cEtZhRmokm
— Colby Armstrong (@armdog) February 20, 2025
• “He doesn’t know whether to cry or wind his watch”
• “Michael, Michael motorcycle”
• “Get in the fast lane Grandma, the bingo game’s ready to roll”
• “She wants to sell my monkey”
• “Call Arnold Slick from Turtle Crick”
• “He beat him like a rented mule”
“He beat him like a rented mule.”
Mike Lange’s legend will live forever ???? pic.twitter.com/Nk2S4ZSQX4
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 20, 2025
• “Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building”
• “Book’ em Dano”
• “Smiling like a butcher’s dog”
• “He takes the heat out of a hot kitchen”
• “He smoked him like a bad cigar”
• “Buzzing like bees around a hive”
• “Slap me silly, Sidney”
• “He should get five to 10 for that one”
Penguins goals from last night's Game 2 against the Canadiens, sync'd with Mike Lange's radio calls. ???? pic.twitter.com/7Op4dzX6qe
— Benstonium (@Benstonium) August 4, 2020
