We're often told Canadians are a docile, polite lot.
Whatever.
Not when it comes to hockey we're not.
Vancouver went on a riotous rampage (like Montreal did in 1993) after losing to Boston in game 7 of the Stanley Cup playoffs. So much for 'laid back' Van City.
I know. Select few ruin it for others. We usually dismiss them as troublemakers not representative of the true fan base. I don't know how you can separate the two. I'm pretty sure some hard core fans were involved. In soccer, it's a little different given gangs dedicate themselves to violence and the cops usually know who they are. In hockey, no such thing exists. Naturally, we act surprised when it happens. It runs contrary to the image we have of ourselves.
Problem is, the "silent select few" were numerous.
By contrast, from alll accounts (not that any of the fricken sports Canadian outlets showed any images), Boston celebrated victory in peace. Boston! One of the toughest towns in North America we're told! Then again, Beantowners are used to this sort of thing, what, with the Celtics, Patriots, Red Sox and now Bruins all winning titles (seven in total) in the last 10 years or so.
Canadians, outside the Blue Jays and Raptors, cling on to the NHL and hockey.
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I just wanted to see the best team win. Truth is, there were great story lines on both sides. Vancouver, possibly pound for pound more psycho than Toronto and Montreal with their Canucks, had the classy coach Alian Vigneault, and goalie Roberto Luongo, whom without which the 'Nucks don't even compete in the final. Luongo backstopped Team Canada to a gold medal, but it was not his time. Of course, all the useless cynics will chime in with bad logic claiming he "can't win the big one." Bull shit. Finally, the city of Vancouver never celebrated a cup in its 40 year history. The 2011 edition of the Canucks were probably their best team ever and represented their best shot in their third attempt.
On the Boston side, coach Claude Julien made it to the promised lands after being outsed in Montreal (to make room for Gainey's guy in Carbonneau) and peculiarly nixed in New Jersey just before the playoffs by GM Lou Lamouriello before finding his way to Boston. Ever on the hotseat despite his clear record of successs, Julien now finds some respect I would think. 37 year-old Tim Thomas, much like Luongo, had and will continue to have his doubters despite all the personal hardware he has won, and his unorthodox but highly effective style (reminiscent of Dominik Hasek - the greatest goalie ever) caps off a most remarkable personal journey. Mark Recchi capping off his long productive career on a high. And of course, the city of Boston who waited since the days of the immortal Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito who brought the cup home back in 1972.
It's hard getting coverage with the likes of the Patriots, Sox and Celtics, but Boston has always supported hockey. In fact, the Bruins are slightly ahead of the Celtics on the pecking order these days - much like how the Flyers edge past the 76ers in Philadelphia.
In the end, the Boston Bruins were by far the better team. Hence, they get to hoist and parade the cup around New England. Now Vancouver begins to learn how to win.
Simple as that.
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I never understood why reporters do stuff like this.
I saw and see no point in it.
In the end, what the fuck do they know?
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