‘Inside Out’ on ice: A scouting report for Riley’s emotions

In “Inside Out”, Joy once nostalgically skated around the headquarters while looking at one of Riley’s old hockey memorabilia. On Sunday, an NHL game will be reimagined in the mind of Riley – the hockey-loving protagonist of the Pixar films – this time with Joy lacing up her skates and actually playing the game.

But it won’t just be Joy. All the emotions will be there to create many essential memories on and off the ice.

Hockey has always been one of Riley’s greatest passions. Instead of its Foghorns or Firehawks, it will be the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals, Sunday night at 7 p.m. ET.

In honor of the lively alternative broadcast in real time, here’s a “scouting report” for each emotion ahead of the Inside Out Classic with our best guess at their preferred position, playing style, strengths and challenges. That’s not to say that’s what we’ll see from them on Sunday – but it could be close!

The starting lineup

High-end JOY center

Style: Scorer
Strong points: Optimistic, energetic, lively
Weaknesses: Verification

Joy cares a lot about her teammates and the score on the board. She’s a true team player who also happens to be a shining superstar, ready to make a dazzling game-winning play while giving credit to the entire team. His cheerful attitude allows him to laugh off remarks about being a little late getting back when the puck is in his own zone.

agent of anger

Style: Physical, in your face
Strong points: Passionate, Protective, Fair
Weaknesses: Impetuous

Every team needs a tantrum, that player who doesn’t get into funny business and will be first in a scrum. Anger never encountered a failure he didn’t finish or a puck battle he didn’t win. But be careful, he gets a little upset when things are unfair, so even the slightest chirp or wrong move could cause Anger’s head to explode (and if he’s tilted down, melt the ice and end the game).

SAD Goalkeeper

Style: Goalkeeper standing
Strong points: Helpful, comforting, altruistic
Weaknesses: May need a waiting period

Sadness isn’t the type of goalie to do two-pad stacks, show off a windmill glove, or pull off a scorpion save – with Sadness you get a reliable goalie, often on the feet. The puck will be moved as quickly as possible – mainly because Sadness is disappointed that the puck has reached her territory. If Sadness goes into butterfly position, it’s because she’s on her way to the ice to lie down and cry, which could allow her opponents to score on her and her puddles of tears.>

FEAR Defense

Style: Responsible Home Defender
Strong points: Prepared, Protective, Intense
Weaknesses: Don’t take risks

Fear is essentially the defender of Riley’s life – remember when fear stopped Riley from tripping over the lamp cord? Defense! Fear will stay in its own zone, wait for opponents to come to it and eliminate the threat as quickly as possible. In fact, Fear will throw passes to Joy to get scoring chances. But that’s about all Fear is willing to face; Getting in the way or going off topic is far too ambitious and can cause great concern. You simply can’t take that risk!

ANXIETY Coach

Style: Strategist down to the smallest details
Strong points: Perfectionist, Meticulous
Weaknesses: Worries a lot when the team is down by one goal (or more)

Even with a five-goal lead, Anxiety continues to pace and imagine worst-case scenarios. She constantly thinks 10 steps ahead of the opponent, armed with curated playlists and plans to ensure the team doesn’t make any mistakes that could lose the game. And if the team has to climb out of a hole, watch out. Set plays, line combo changes come fast and furious. The goalkeepers could even change four or five times!

DISGUST General Manager

Style: Effective
Strong points: Bold, glamorous, caring
Weaknesses: Eww!

After a stable career on the ice, Disgust finds a second life as the team’s general manager: she knows how to choose great players and not those who will be bad apples (or worse, broccoli) in the locker room. She is very hard to impress, so every player has to be at their best to make the team. Disgust does not suffer fools. You need to make an impact early and often. She can smell a foul (disgusting!) odor a mile away.

The rest of the list

Embarrassment mascot

Style: Comfortable while being hidden
Strong points: Shy, sensitive, compassionate
Weaknesses: Afraid to show it

Listen to me. Embarrass loves to disappear in his big soft hoodie, so what better place for him than in a big soft mascot costume! By hiding in plain sight, he may be able to show his gentleness and compassion to everyone around him without hiding in a corner. Or maybe he’ll just cringe at the idea and find a quiet place to be alone.

BORED Winger

Style: Elite game caller
Strong points: Techie, Ingenious, Efficient (when she wants to be)
Weaknesses: Not impressed with you

Ennui is that player who is so good at coming up with the perfect plan, and yet so nonchalant that you’re frustrated watching her because it comes so naturally to her – it’s like she’s thinking, “Okay, fine, I’ll do it myself, argh” before coming up with the perfect low-to-high cycle and calling it down the ice for the game-winning goal. Of course, Ennui’s reaction is “yeah… whatever.”

ENVY Fourth line winger

Style: Sustainable
Strong points: Observer, fascinated, expressive
Weaknesses: Too ambitious

The desire is small, but she has big dreams! Even though she teeters on the fourth line, her small size has never stopped her from speaking her mind, and her big, bright eyes are always on the lookout for the next big thing. She knows she has the courage to be the best…she just wishes someone would give her a chance to prove it.

NOSTALGIA Hall of Fame color commentator

Style: Legend
Strong points: Reminiscent, detailed, warm and fuzzy
Weaknesses: The present

Remember that time Riley scored a goal? Nostalgia remembers…

Nostalgia is that HOF player who goes to the broadcast booth after retirement to tell the best stories of her career. Whether it was the winning goal to win the Cup or a gravity-defying save from her goalkeeper to advance to the final, she never forgets. Her stories are detailed and captivating…but she may miss a play or two as she basks in the glory of her past.