Tag Archives: Boston

Talk Hockey to Me…

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HockeyISI love everything about this game called hockey with the exception of maybe the shoot out…and most of all I love talking hockey with other fans. Every day, my path crosses with hockey fans of all kinds and while it is no secret the the Canucks are my favourite team, I have a deep respect for every team in the league and will gladly discuss all the teams across the board. I may not know every stat about each team like I do with Vancouver, but I like to be informed and keep tabs on how each of the other 29 teams in the league are doing.

I love talking hockey, just ask my family, who I know, that I can drive crazy at times with all my hockey talk every day. I have crossed paths with amazing fans from ALL 30 NHL teams in real life and on social media. Yes, it is true there are AMAZING fans for EVERY team and I will not take that statement back. No matter where a team is currently in the NHL standings or where they will finish after game 82, all 30 teams have some incredible fanbases and I love discussing anything and everything hockey with all of you.

I love how passionate fans are for their teams and I respect that EACH fan of EVERY team has their own opinions and we may not always agree on everything. I accept that we may not be on the same side for every game. I accept that our differences are what make hockey rivalries some of the best in sports. I accept that each and every fan is determined to believe that their team is capable of being the best. I accept that fans unite on the same side sometimes if it means a victory is plausible against a common rival. I accept that there will be highs and lows that align with the highs and lows of how your team is doing as the season progresses.

I do not accept being treated as less than someone else. I do not accept being told that my team is not a real team. I do not accept that some fans are better than other fans. I do not accept that being a Canucks fan makes me a less informed hockey fan. I do accept fans insulting fans of other teams. I do not accept being treated with disrespect by other fans.

What is the point of this post? Let me tell you a story that occurred just the other day when I was at work.

It was a conversation that was struck up all because I was wearing a Canucks shirt as I do on most game days. The individual noted that they felt sorry for me because I was a lowly Vancouver Canucks fan and how tragic that fate was. This individual then followed up his sympathy with the suggestion that I ought to jump ship and become a fan of a REAL team like the Boston Bruins. He was a Boston Bruins fan and that is perfectly acceptable.

My response to my tragic fate was this:

I have absolutely no qualms if you support the Boston Bruins or any team of your choosing. I have the utmost respect for the Boston Bruins and while it broke my heart when they won the cup in 2011, I know that they earned their victory. I have met some incredible Bruins fans and would never lump them in the same category as this person that crossed my path the other day. Yes, the Bruins are a great team when healthy and yes they were victorious over my Canucks in 2011, I respect that truth. Yes, the Bruins are a real team but guess what? My Canucks are a real team too and I accept that they are not everyone’s cup of tea. The Boston Bruins are not my cup of tea but I respect them as a team, their talent and their fans. I applaud any and all fans passion for their respective team.

As dedicated as this person was to his Bruins, I am just as dedicated to my Vancouver Canucks and there is no changing my ways. No matter the result this season or the next, I will be there to support them from start to finish every year. I accept that fans will not always agree, but I do not accept fans telling other fans HOW to be a proper hockey fan. Hockey fans come in all shapes and sizes and of all kinds. You do not have to be fans of the same team to have a great hockey discussion or appreciate this incredible game. You do not have to have all the answers and you can ask as many questions as you want…I love talking hockey. Most of all, I love talking hockey to fans of ALL teams while bonding over our love of this game that is so much more than just a game.

I will not judge you or the team that you choose to support. I will not belittle you or the team or its roster because of where it is in the standings or if it is struggling. I will not insult your team. I will simply show you the same respect you show me. I will not ask you to jump ship or switch sides. It does not matter to me which team you support or which player is your favourite, I would love to hear about ALL of it! As I said in the start of this post, I love talking hockey with the best fans in sports, so…talk hockey to me!

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

2013 SC Final has arrived…

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If you are a Canucks fan it will be hard to pick a side when the Stanley Cup Finals begin this week featuring the Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins. This is not my idea of a fun blog post BUT these two teams proved themselves to be the best in their respective conferences.

I am not a fan of either team but they both earned their way to the Stanley Cup Final fair and square. Chicago has set the standard all season long by being the best team in the league and playing some very impressive playoff hockey. Boston’s numbers were not quite as impressive as Chicago BUT they also played a high level of hockey all season.

Their numbers in the playoffs have been very similar with Chicago posting a 12-5 record in 17 games and Boston posting a 12-4 record in 16 games.

Round 1: Chicago vs. Minnesota. Result: Chicago defeated Minnesota in 5 games.

Boston vs. Toronto. Result: Boston defeated Toronto in 7 games.

Round 2: Chicago vs. Detroit. Result: Chicago defeated Detroit in 7 games.

Boston vs. New York Rangers. Result: Boston defeated New York in 5 games.

Round 3: Chicago vs. LA. Result: Chicago defeated LA in 5 games.

Boston vs. Pittsburgh. Result: Boston defeated Pittsburgh in a 4 game sweep.

Round 4: Chicago vs. Boston. Begins: Wednesday June 12th in Chicago.

An original six match up for the first time in many years is sure bring some great hockey moments to the game. What more can a hockey fan ask for than a show down between two teams that have not met in the finals since 1979?

I’m sure the series will feature some great moments for both teams but in the end the only thing that matters is who gets 4 wins to clinch their latest Stanley Cup. One of these two teams will walk away from this series victorious as the 2013 Stanley Cup Champion. Will I be rooting for either one of them in particular? Probably not, but I respect that their incredible depth and talent got them this far into the playoffs and this series will be a classic as is any original six match up.

I am not going to root one way or the other as for me it would be like picking the lesser of two evils and I’m not sure I can watch it to be honest. Whatever happens, it will be a great series for the fans of these two teams as well as fans of the game. Best of luck to the Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins as they approach this final round. The final always features two very talented teams and this year is no different. The end is just beginning and it will be interesting to see how these two teams will match up when the puck drops Wednesday.

Enjoy the finals for all those who will be watching, its going to be a great series even if some of us cannot join you!

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.