Let’s be honest, with the way the Vancouver Canucks season has been going in different ebbs and flows, it could be really easy to get stuck in an endless spin of negativity. I see that negativity coming across social media platforms from fans and media alike. It’s no secret if you follow my blog or my social media accounts that I take a slightly different approach when it comes to watching hockey and my team.

I know that it probably sounds odd to many Canucks fans and hockey fans in general but I will always try to take a positive approach to watching the team or any hockey game regardless of how a game or season ends. My love of the game goes beyond the wins and losses record. Every season has ups and downs, some years have more struggles than others, but that doesn’t mean I will stop supporting my team or enjoying the game. There’s enough negativity out there and I will not allow it to change my enjoyment of the game or affect my support of the team.

Am I aware of the ever constant rumours surrounding the Canucks? Yes. Do I know that a lot of people are calling for Willie Desjardins to be let go and the need for a replacement to step in? Yes. Am I aware that the Sedins are getting older? Yes. Am I aware that the team has to allow younger players like Bo Horvat and Ben Hutton to play more? Yes. In fact, I have heard it all and there is not one rumour, negative statistic or insult about MY team that I haven’t heard and none that will make me waver my support for them or my love of the game.

Am I aware of the slew of the injuries that have hit the team already? Yes. Do I know that the odds of the Vancouver Canucks being the playoffs this season according to the “experts” are incredibly low? Yes, and you know what? I accept that but the odds don’t really matter to me, the odds don’t change when I will watch the team. I will watch every single win, loss, disaster, and triumph of the season in it’s entirety whether it ends in mid-April or late June every single year.

Would I love to see my team go all the way and win that elusive 16th post-season game? Absolutely, more than anything, that would be a dream come true. When that day does finally come, I will be celebrating along with all of my fellow Canucks fans. And until that day comes, I will be supporting the team every step of the way that will eventually lead to that path even if we cannot see the outcome just yet. And yes, I know that there may be a number of years before that day comes but no matter how long it takes to get there, I will be on the sidelines supporting my Vancouver Canucks for the entirety of the journey and long after.

Lastly, am I aware that this approach to watching the game and this team is not for everyone? Yes and that’s okay, everyone is allowed their own approach to watching their team and sport that is best for them. Personally, I used to get bogged down by the negativity and for a while it took away why I loved the game and it became a burden to carry. I had to make the decision for my mental health to find a way that saw past the negativity, let it go, and saw the magic that is simply hockey at its core. My approach is allowing myself to see that despite what the odds or statistics say, there are still positives to this team and this game will always be magic. So, yes while it may seem odd to many, I will always look beyond the numbers that make up the team, the game and the season for what defines my love of hockey.

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.