If you spent Game 1 of the Canucks versus Blackhawks series wearing a lucky jersey or scratching at the beginnings of a playoff beard you're not alone.

Fans and players alike dust off the good luck charms and superstitions at playoff time. CTV went to find out how some people are trying to ensure a Canucks sweep leading up to what will hopefully be a Stanley Cup victory.

For Dave Preece, wearing regular Canucks gear just doesn't cut it. The super fan opts to wear a custom-made "towel power suit" made from playoff towels dating back to 2002.

The garment was held together at first by 300 safety pins, but Preece's wife has since sewn it together.

"We're trying to figure out what more to add to it," he said.

Preece is hoping his playoff attire will bring the Canucks luck.

"You know, whatever works for you. Essentially everybody has their own thing," he said.

Hockey players at 8 Rinks in Burnaby had their own hockey superstitions.

Richard Zaal says he tries to remain by the television for the entire game.

"I find if I stray from the game for about 10 minutes I always come back and there are often times things aren't going their way," he said.

Adam Grossi said during intense games he just sits as still as possible on his coffee table: "I try not to move a muscle."

Brandon Bordignon doesn't have a superstition, but he knows someone who has quite an unusual one.

"I know a guy who wears the same underwear for every game," he said.

But there may not be much benefit in believing in a good luck charm, say experts.

Dr. Peter Crocker with UBC's School of Human Kinetics says that athletes who cling to superstitions can actually make themselves vulnerable.

"Generally the research seems to suggest that most superstitious behaviours are not very effective," Crocker said.

Crocker says opponents can actually try to disrupt someone's superstition for their own gain.

"And of course then the more you buy into the superstition the more problems you can have because now you feel you're not ready," he said.

But for fans, Crocker said it can be more about bonding versus beliefs.

Preece, for one, said he's been getting a lot of support from fellow Canucks lovers.

"Who knows, maybe towel power man will be sticking around for a while," he said.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Maria Weisgarber