Absolutely. At the same time, I think that it's important to maintain some perspective as well. This is just a discussion board that focuses on a very competetive sport. We aren't discussing the current climate crisis or solving world hunger here. IMHO, a certain amount of razzing/chirping/ribbing/etc. is simply a part of hockey culture. The key is for it to remain good-natured. Sadly, there's also something about this remarkable game that seems to bring out the worst in some folks (hence the adage, "Instant @sshole - just add skates." I've played with my fair share of guys like this - super great guys until they put skates on, at which time a Jekyll-Hyde transformation occurs). When all is said and done, it still really is just a game - and a really enjoyable one to ponder, debate, pontificate, expound upon, etc.
I suppose that, ideally, fans of each and every team in sports would support and want the best for fans of other teams. But that also seems somewhat naive, given that rivalries are a very real element of sports - especially extremely competetive ones like hockey. Personally, what I most love to see in every sport is parity. I've been told by many of my buddies that I'm crazy, naive, etc. but it's true. I just love the idea of championships being spread around, rather than living through periods of dominance for various teams.
That's a
really imporant distinction to be mindful of. Of all the teams I cheer for, I cheer the heartiest for Vancouver
(
I know!! Can you imagine?! I guess there has to be
one on every forum eh, lol?!
). And I think it's fair to say that I came to disrespect the entire Bruins' organization during the 2011 finals. If I had to use one word to desribe the overall demeanor of Bostonians from my perspective, it would be "obnoxious." (Even Boston's mayor at the time came off as a complete idiot and an utter douche!) You mention disappointment. That series made me feel not only profound disappointment, but also complete and total disgust for the entire NHL organization. For years, we heard that the League was committed to removing the chippiness, dirtiness, etc. from the game. Dirty hits, head-shots, and attempts to injure were all going to be harshly penalized. We were moving towards a kinder, gentler, faster, more skill-based brand of hockey and away from the need to have goons on each team. Please understand that I've always really, REALLY enjoyed the physicality of the game. I LOVE hard-hitting, gritty hockey. But if that's where the NHL wanted to go, then fair enough. There seemed to be evidence that the League was, indeed, committed to implementing this new style of hockey. (Obviously, the Canucks' organization also took it seriously, as they assembled an extremely fast, skilled, smart - but not particularly
tough - team.) And then the finals started and it was as if everything that the League had claimed and worked towards just
disappeared. The Bruins were allowed to have their way with the 'nucks and the number of non-calls was positively outrageous. To say that I was stunned would be a monumental understatement.
For the record, I was okay with losing in game seven to the Rangers in '94. It was a well-played, close series and it felt like the Rangers won fair and square. But the 2011 playoffs was a shameful disgrace. Call me crazy, but I honestly believe that the League engineered a win for an O6 team.
When all is said and done, I do realize that it's just game. Whether or not the Canucks ever hoist a Cup will really have very little impact on my quality of life. But I do enjoy the game and I will always cheer the loudest for my hometown team - through thick and thin. And year after year, when Vancouver gets eliminated (notice "when," rather than "if," lol!), I have no problem cheering for other teams. The one team I will never cheer for, however, is the Bruins. I simply have no respect for Boston and don't believe that they need a Cup any time in the near future.
The fact that Boston has hung on to Marchand just strengthens my resolve. I'm not sure that I've ever said this about any other athlete before, but I will even go so far as to say that if they wanted a picture to put in the dictionary beside the term "human garbage," Marchand's mug would be the wise, obvious choice. I'm not naive - I realize that he's extremely valuable to the organization and that if Boston chose to trade him, there'd be line-up of other teams who'd love to sign him. But I guess my own personal code of ethics simply cannot come to grips with having a face-licking dirtbag like this on a sports team. He has crossed lines to the point where I don't believe he should even be allowed to play in the League.
The funny thing is, I suppose that I might come off as bitter. But to be honest, I'm really not at all. I will always feel profound disgust for the way the NHL handled the 2011 finals, and I can't imagine ever cheering for the Bruins - under
any circumstances, but I'm really just a hockey-loving goofball who has his teams that he usually cheers for. It just also happens to be the case that I am always happy to see Boston lose. I mean, it genuinely makes me
happy. (Sometimes I wonder if that will change when they get rid of Marchand. I suppose it's possible, but probably not likely.) That probably makes me a bad guy in some peoples' minds, and I guess folks are fully entitled to feel that way if they want to. With 32 teams in the League, everyone has their own ranking. When push comes to shove, there's a #32 in everyone's ranking. In mine, it's definitely Boston.
