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Thistle
Card No. (2) – Character: Skunk
Nickname: 🦨 Thistle –
In Up 2 Faceoff Fantasy:
His only real advantage? The moment he steps on the rink, everyone clears out!
And when he actually joins the play… chaos follows 😅
He thrives in the neutral zones,
the undisputed master of “strategic invisibility” —
always showing up from the wrong corner at the right time.
Ask him “Where were you?” and somehow the puck’s missing… and so is your focus!
🧊 In Faceoff:
The Club card forces you to choose — advance or retreat under pressure.
The Spade card? A complete twist move based on the dice roll 🎲
In Mask-off:
He’s the guy who laughs with both sound and smell —
and even the microphones step back when he’s around 😂
🎯 Signature Quote:
"Step up or step back… the ice doesn’t lie, !"
Spade Card 2
Clubs Card 2
Hockey Team (SPADE/CLUBS)
Los Angeles Kings
Team Name: Los Angeles Kings
Founded: 1967
City: Los Angeles, California
Biggest Achievements:
- Stanley Cup Champions: 2012, 2014
The Los Angeles Kings reached the pinnacle of success with their first-ever Stanley Cup victory in 2012, followed by another championship in 2014. These back-to-back title runs solidified their place among the NHL’s elite teams and marked one of the most successful eras in franchise history.
Franchise Background:
The Los Angeles Kings were established in 1967 during the NHL’s landmark expansion, which doubled the number of teams and introduced professional hockey to the U.S. West Coast. Created to bring the sport’s excitement to Southern California, the Kings quickly became a major part of Los Angeles’ sports culture.
Over the decades, the team has experienced periods of rebuilding and resurgence, playing home games at the Crypto.com Arena (formerly the Staples Center). Their growth was fueled by star acquisitions and the development of a strong core of players who helped transform the franchise into a championship contender.
Famous Player:
Wayne Gretzky — widely regarded as the greatest hockey player of all time — played a defining role in elevating the Kings’ profile. His arrival in Los Angeles not only changed the team’s history but also helped popularize hockey across California and the broader U.S.
New Jersey Devils
Team Name: New Jersey Devils
Founded: 1974 (originally as the Kansas City Scouts)
City: Newark, New Jersey
Biggest Achievements:
- Stanley Cup Champions: 1995, 2000, 2003
The New Jersey Devils have secured their place among hockey’s elite, capturing three Stanley Cup titles in less than ten years. Their success during the 1990s and early 2000s established them as one of the most formidable defensive teams in NHL history.
Franchise Background:
The franchise began in 1974 as the Kansas City Scouts, one of the NHL’s mid-1970s expansion teams. After two seasons, the club relocated to Denver, taking on a new identity as the Colorado Rockies from 1976 to 1982. In 1982, the team moved east to New Jersey, where it officially became the New Jersey Devils.
Since then, the Devils have built a loyal fan base and a tradition of disciplined, defense-first hockey. They currently play their home games at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Famous Player:
A cornerstone of the Devils’ success is Martin Brodeur, widely regarded as one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history. Known for his unmatched consistency, reflexes, and puck-handling ability, Brodeur helped define the team’s golden era and remains synonymous with the Devils franchise.
Hockey Team City
Los Angeles, California
Historical Background:
Los Angeles, often referred to as “The City of Angels,” was officially founded on September 4, 1781, by a group of Spanish settlers. Originally named El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles, the settlement began as a small agricultural community along the Los Angeles River.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Los Angeles transformed rapidly — first with the arrival of the railroads, which opened trade routes across the U.S., and later with the discovery of oil, which fueled massive economic growth. The early 1900s saw the rise of Hollywood, turning the city into the global capital of film and entertainment. Today, Los Angeles stands as a cultural and economic powerhouse known for its diversity, innovation, and coastal beauty.
Popular Activities in Los Angeles:
- Catch a Los Angeles Kings Game at Crypto.com Arena
Experience the high energy of professional ice hockey by watching the Los Angeles Kings play on their home ice. The atmosphere, especially during playoff season, captures the city’s passion for sports and its vibrant fan culture.
- Explore the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Walk along Hollywood Boulevard to see the iconic stars embedded in the sidewalks, celebrating the achievements of film, music, and television legends from around the world.
- Visit Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park
Overlooking the city, Griffith Observatory offers panoramic views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign. It’s also one of the best spots for stargazing and learning about astronomy.
- Relax at Santa Monica Pier and Beach
A quintessential Southern California experience — enjoy ocean views, local food vendors, and amusement rides along this historic pier, blending nostalgia and seaside fun.
Los Angeles is a city where creativity meets culture, and where every neighborhood tells a different story — from the glamour of Beverly Hills to the artistic pulse of Downtown LA.
Newark, New Jersey
Historical Background:
Founded in 1666 by Puritan settlers from Connecticut, Newark stands as one of the oldest cities in the United States and a cornerstone of New Jersey’s urban and cultural development. Strategically located just eight miles west of Manhattan, Newark grew from a small colonial settlement into a thriving industrial hub during the 19th and early 20th centuries, known for its manufacturing, shipping, and transportation industries.
As time progressed, Newark evolved into a center of commerce, higher education, and the arts, home to major institutions such as Rutgers University–Newark and the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). Today, it’s a dynamic city that blends historic architecture with modern energy — a gateway between New York City and the rest of New Jersey.
Popular Activities in Newark:
- Attend a New Jersey Devils Game at the Prudential Center
Hockey fans can experience the electric atmosphere of an NHL game as the New Jersey Devils take the ice at Prudential Center, one of the premier sports and entertainment venues on the East Coast. It’s a must-see event for both locals and visitors who want a taste of Newark’s passionate sports culture.
- Explore the Newark Museum of Art
The largest museum in New Jersey, it features diverse collections of American, African, and contemporary art, as well as a planetarium and sculpture garden — offering an enriching cultural experience for all ages.
- Stroll Through Branch Brook Park
Famous for its cherry blossom trees, this expansive park provides a scenic escape in the heart of the city. In spring, the annual Cherry Blossom Festival attracts thousands of visitors for outdoor events and picnics.
- Discover the Performing Arts Scene at NJPAC
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) hosts world-class concerts, Broadway shows, and community events throughout the year, reinforcing Newark’s reputation as a vibrant center for music and theater.
plant(SPADE/CLUBS)
Blue Thistle
Type: Perennial flowering plant from the genus Eryngium.
Needles: Has spiky, narrow leaves instead of true needles.
Lifespan: Lives several years, returning each growing season.
Habitat: Prefers sunny, well-drained soils; common in meadows, coastal areas, and rocky landscapes.
Uses: Ornamental gardens, cut flowers, and dried floral arrangements.
Adaptations: Drought-tolerant, resistant to poor soil, and spiny leaves deter herbivores.
Ecological role: Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Fun fact: Its vivid blue color comes from pigments in both the flowers and bracts, making it appear almost metallic in sunlight.
Milk Thistle
Type: Flowering plant in the daisy family (Asteraceae).
Needles: Has sharp spiny leaves and flower bracts (not true needles).
Lifespan: Biennial (completes life cycle in 2 years).
Habitat: Native to the Mediterranean; grows in dry, sunny areas, disturbed soils, and roadsides worldwide.
Uses: Traditionally used in herbal medicine for liver health; active compound is silymarin.
Adaptations: Waxy, spiny leaves reduce grazing and water loss; deep taproot for dry conditions.
Ecological Role: Provides nectar for pollinators; seeds are food for birds but can become invasive.
Fun Fact: Its name comes from the milky white sap in its leaves, once linked to the Virgin Mary in folklore.
Skunk
1. Species and Family
Skunks belong to the Mephitidae family — relatives of weasels, yet distinct enough to form their own branch of the mammal family tree.
There are several known species, with the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) being the most recognizable. Other members include the spotted skunk, hooded skunk, and hog-nosed skunk, all native to parts of North and South America.
2. Appearance
Skunks are small to medium-sized mammals, generally measuring 40 to 94 centimeters (16 to 37 inches) long, including their fluffy tail, and weighing around 1 to 6 kilograms (2 to 13 pounds).
Their appearance is unmistakable — dark, glossy fur patterned with bold white stripes, spots, or swirls. They have compact bodies, short legs built for digging, and a thick, bushy tail.
Perhaps their most famous feature is a pair of scent glands near the tail, capable of releasing a strong-smelling defensive spray when threatened.
3. Habitat and Range
Skunks thrive in a variety of environments, including forests, open grasslands, deserts, and suburban neighborhoods.
They’re especially common throughout North America, from the southern regions of Canada through much of the United States.
Highly adaptable, they often make their homes near water sources, open fields, or areas with easy access to food, including human communities.
4. Social Life and Behavior
Typically solitary creatures, skunks spend most of their lives alone except during mating season or when mothers are caring for their young.
They are nocturnal, venturing out at night to forage while resting in burrows, hollow logs, or dens during the day.
When threatened, a skunk gives several warning signals — raising its tail, stamping its feet, and hissing — before using its potent spray.
Amazingly, they can aim their spray with remarkable accuracy up to about 3 meters (10 feet).
5. Diet
Skunks are omnivores, eating both plants and animals.
Their diet includes insects, grubs, small mammals, bird eggs, berries, fruits, and green vegetation.
They’re also opportunistic feeders, known to scavenge trash bins or pet food bowls when living close to people.
6. Role in the Ecosystem
Despite their smelly reputation, skunks play an important part in maintaining balance in nature.
They help control insect and rodent populations, reducing agricultural pests, and contribute to plant life by spreading seeds through their droppings.
While they do fall prey to larger animals like owls, coyotes, and bobcats, most predators avoid them altogether to steer clear of their powerful defense mechanism.
7. Relationship with Humans
Humans often view skunks as nuisance animals, especially when they dig up lawns for insects or tip over garbage cans.
Their spray is notoriously hard to remove — the old “tomato juice bath” is mostly a myth; a mix of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and soap works far better.
In some areas, skunks are even kept as exotic pets, though only after their scent glands are safely removed under veterinary care.
8. Fun Fact
A skunk’s spray isn’t endless — it only carries enough for about five to six sprays before running dry.
After that, it takes nearly ten days for the glands to refill, so skunks usually avoid spraying unless absolutely necessary.