I'm skipping the rest of the finals, due to health concerns. Am I a bad fan?

[NYRFAN218]

]hey OP - watch the games with friends - or ask to watch with some of your fellow fans on this board if you have been watching alone.[/B]

Win or lose - there is always another season to look forward too - and believe it or not, even after a cup win - you will find a reason to be depressed if your mind takes you that way (like no more hockey to watch) so just try to enjoy the games i guess - with other people helps

Is a good point. I find myself less aggravated, annoyed, upset, angry, etc when I watch games in groups or when I go to games compared to when I watch games by myself.

 

[ottawa]

Non-rangers fan chiming in...if hockey matters so much to you that you behave as described, then I'd argue you're a really good and loyal fan regardless of whether you take a break from hockey or not. Do what's best for you OP

 

[Le Tricolore]

It's... sports. At the end of the day, you'll get nervous, you'll get excited, you'll be happy, you'll be sad and you'll be mad. In my opinion these are all the things that make being a sports fan worth it. If you're not able to watch the games since you get sick or what have you, then I honestly don't know what to say. You should probably go to a doctor since that does not sound at all healthy.

 

[Xref]

OP, wow if sports makes you react that way, then I'd say yes, stop watching. Pick up a good book, go outside and plant a vegetable garden, take the dog for a walk, spend more time with the wife and kids, etc. If that doesn't work for you, seek professional help. What you describe is not normal.

You need to realize that this is ONLY entertainment. Nothing more, nothing less. It's not life or death.

Good luck.

 

[Killem Dafoe]

Everyone handles these things differently, and any way you go about being a fan, you're always a fan, and no fan is better than the next. You do what you need to do mate, either way you should have our support.

But I'm not going to lie, being this close to a Cup is really surreal and emotional for me. 1st time in 20 years that we can just about reach out and touch it. We're so close. Last night I was shaking and pretty upset to the point of not really wanting to talk to anyone, or even do much of anything. It was almost like a physical shot in the gut for me. But I'll personally still watch the games, of course, because even if it's torture for me I still want to say that I watched my boys until the bitter end.

Besides, if the Rangers come back and win the series, that's not something I would want to miss. Either way, we're getting to watch another 1/4 of a season of hockey. That, for me, is a great reward.

 

[BB58]

I can't blame you. It's very difficult to take this series seriously. I kinda understand what the Seahawk fans went through after SB XL when they got hosed by the refs.

 

[Rangerfan4life90]

I can't blame you. It's very difficult to take this series seriously. I kinda understand what the Seahawk fans went through after SB XL when they got hosed by the refs.

I'm still not planning to watch anymore games the rest of the series after that ridiculous debacle in game 2. I'll check scores here and there, and probably post a little on here.

In my mind, we already lost the series. I'm going to be cursing Dan O'Fatso's name for a long while, that's for sure.

 

[Ghost of jas]

Again...sports, the candy store of life. Your life is not better if the Rangers win the Cup, and it's not worse if they don't. This is fun stress, it's not fear of being unable to pay your bills, be terminally unemployed, watch a loved one suffer in pain, or have your family crumble apart. Losing sucks, but, it remains a great teacher. If you have that much emotionally invested in a group that, at the end of the day has minimal true impact on your life, you do need to seek medical help. I love this hockey team, but, their are least of my daily worries. It's supposed to be escape.

 

[Jabroni]

Everyone handles these things differently, and any way you go about being a fan, you're always a fan, and no fan is better than the next. You do what you need to do mate, either way you should have our support.

But I'm not going to lie, being this close to a Cup is really surreal and emotional for me. 1st time in 20 years that we can just about reach out and touch it. We're so close. Last night I was shaking and pretty upset to the point of not really wanting to talk to anyone, or even do much of anything. It was almost like a physical shot in the gut for me. But I'll personally still watch the games, of course, because even if it's torture for me I still want to say that I watched my boys until the bitter end.

Besides, if the Rangers come back and win the series, that's not something I would want to miss. Either way, we're getting to watch another 1/4 of a season of hockey. That, for me, is a great reward.

No doubt, plus a shorter offseason is always nice.

 

[Ghost of jas]

Cannot stress enough how much music helps with this in general (at least for me), and last night in particular as well.

I find that listening to music during games also helps keep me a bit more even keeled.

Only if you listen to good music. (Seriously underrating McCartney's Ram and Band on the Run albums, while overrating Lennon's solo work.)

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Only if you listen to good music. (Seriously underrating McCartney's Ram and Band on the Run albums, while overrating Lennon's solo work.)

I like Band on the Run, but they're kinda corny. Still good imo.

I care about Harrison than Lennon either way.

Was listening to Bookends during/after the game. Definitely helped soothe my irritation.

 

[Ghost of jas]

I like Band on the Run, but they're kinda corny. Still good imo.

I care about Harrison than Lennon either way.

Was listening to Bookends during/after the game. Definitely helped soothe my irritation.

Just joshin' ya...saw the comment you made to Jonathan. And, I agree, music is an amazing catalyst for me. I am plugged into my iPod constantly. Music gives me an almost drug-like feeling...diminishes my down moods and amplifies my up moods. No better form of escape.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Just joshin' ya...saw the comment you made to Jonathan. And, I agree, music is an amazing catalyst for me. I am plugged into my iPod constantly. Music gives me an almost drug-like feeling...diminishes my down moods and amplifies my up moods. No better form of escape.

I would guess we have fairly similar tastes in music anyway.

But yes I agree with the drug like feeling part.

Funnily enough I would compare the feeling of watching a Rangers game to drugs as well

 

[Ghost of jas]

I would guess we have fairly similar tastes in music anyway.

But yes I agree with the drug like feeling part.

Funnily enough I would compare the feeling of watching a Rangers game to drugs as well

You're into Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Buck Owens and the Carter family, too? Cool!

 

[wolfgaze]

OP I will go out on a limb here and say that there is some deeper psychological 'issue' at at play that is causing you to have this type of reaction to watching your favorite sports team fail to achieve/succeed. In other words your response/reaction to the Rangers is moreso a symptom of a larger 'issue' and not the underlying cause. I know you said you were dealing with depression. Could it be that you derive some sense of comfort/regularity/purpose from following the team and placing your conscious energy and focus on an external source and outside of yourself?? When they are winning does that provide you with a sense of achievement/accomplishment/pride that may be perceived to be lacking in your personal life? Therefore when they are underperforming/disappointing/letting us down are those types of feelings amplified and you feel 'low' and let down? Try to perceive how your situation/circumstances extend beyond merely just following a sports team and you will gain clarity about what is actually transpiring and taking place within you.

And yes I would say if your health is suffering as a result of your response/reaction, it's wise to distance yourself from this stimulus and take a break. I wouldn't think any less of you as a fan and I don't think others should either. You're clearly not a fair-weather fan and would only be taking this course of action out of concern for your mental/physical health - which is of primary importance of course...

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

You're into Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Buck Owens and the Carter family, too? Cool!

Yes to all of this.

jk not really lol.

 

[Ghost of jas]

Yes to all of this.

jk not really lol.

That's okay...no one else around me is either.

 

[Ghost of jas]

OP I will go out on a limb here and say that there is some deeper psychological 'issue' at at play that is causing you to have this type of reaction to watching your favorite sports team fail to achieve/succeed. In other words your response/reaction to the Rangers is moreso a symptom of a larger 'issue' and not the underlying cause. I know you said you were dealing with depression. Could it be that you derive some sense of comfort/regularity/purpose from following the team and placing your conscious energy and focus on an external source and outside of yourself?? When they are winning does that provide you with a sense of achievement/accomplishment/pride that may be perceived to be lacking in your personal life? Therefore when they are underperforming/disappointing/letting us down are those types of feelings amplified and you feel 'low' and let down? Try to perceive how your situation/circumstances extend beyond merely just following a sports team and you will gain clarity about what is actually transpiring and taking place within you.

And yes I would say if your health is suffering as a result of your response/reaction, it's wise to distance yourself from this stimulus and take a break. I wouldn't think any less of you as a fan and I don't think others should either. You're clearly not a fair-weather fan and would only be taking this course of action out of concern for your mental/physical health - which is of primary importance of course...

What I would add is, if the OP is having a physical breakdown due to the stress of watching this series, being concerned as to whether or not they are a fair weather fan is not something that should be the major concern. Go see a medical professional.

 

[Holocene]

That's okay...no one else around me is either.

I can attest to this.

 

[wolfgaze]

Also think about this... If the Rangers were to win the Cup, you might feel ecstatic or a 'high' - but for how long? Maybe a week or a few weeks at best? That feeling would surely fade away in due time, it would not last. A few months later a new season would commence and the process of rooting for the team to succeed would start all over again. Look at the other teams in the league, their recent Cup wins are not making their present day losses or exits from the playoffs any less disappointing for their fans... I don't think the Bruins fans are comforting themselves knowing their team won the Cup a few years ago. I don't think the Devils fans are comforting themselves over missing the playoffs by reflecting upon their 3 cups over a 10 year span - etc, etc.... Hockey is entertainment and sure it's a familiar hobby and a lot of excitement a times - but the wins, the losses, the highs, the lows - they all fade with time and nothing lasts.... Try not to affix too much emotional attachment into something that is impermanent and has no staying power.

 

[SixGoalieSystem]

Cannot stress enough how much music helps with this in general (at least for me), and last night in particular as well.

I find that listening to music during games also helps keep me a bit more even keeled.

Music is a good tip.

Myself I went fishing after the last two losses. Does miracles.

 

[Blueblood2]

i totally get being depressed physically and mentally over your team as most of us fans have invested so much time and hope in out teams but make sure that you remember that your favorite team DOES NOT define you. So when your friend that is a fan of your rival is happy the Rangers lost to them it does not make them in any way superior to you.

 

[Hire Sather]

Just have to do something to let that anger out.

BREAK something. Destroy a chair, it doesn't matter. It doesn't make you crazy to break something over a game, gotta let out that frustration someway.

I tossed Ziti out my 2nd story window after that loss to the Sharks at MSG this year.

I was calm after both OT losses. I guess numb more than anything. It helped to stuff my face with Wendy's after last night.

 

[Hemlawk86]

my DVR keeps jacking up. Trying to record the game but comcast's weird listing and all these over times...

Nothing worth recording anyway....


Oh and Im definitely losing sleep over this. This whole damn playff series is killing me.

 

[Hire Sather]

it will hurt more for me looking back

its weird, during the regular season losses like this KILL me, but during the playoffs im just ready for the next game.

But after this is all over, and we likely lose the series, it will always be upsetting to look back at these two games. Just like the 2006 Mets and the 2012 Rangers.