Go Away's and Hurray's
Posted by jtbourne on May 15, 2009 · 9 Comments
ShareThis
Since day one of this years playoffs, I’ve been hating on the ‘Canes.
Today will be no different.
For one, I’m in no danger of upsetting any readers because nobody outside of Raleigh-Durham likes them. This year, they’ve taken their mediocre uni’s, players I don’t know and fans who think a red line is how you know your NASCAR engine is revving to high through Boston and New Jersey.
Impressive feats. They’ve hurt the leagues chances at an all-original six finals. They’ve crushed a Boston fan base who deserved some post-season success. And worst of all? They used to be the Hartford Whalers. I realize it’s cool now to claim you liked the Nordiques, Whalers and Jets, but I loathed every one of those teams.
So like I was saying, congrats to the Carolina Hurricanes.
*****
Good on ya Red Wings. There is more parity in hockey than baseball, basketball or football, and for the Wings to be this good for this long is a testament to their organization.
Someone is doing something right, especially when they continue to do it with a goaltender who finished this regular season 41st in GAA, and 45th in save percentaege. I literally had to hit “next” on the list of top 30 goaltenders to find his stats.
*****
So, I’ve had my first serious Obama disappointment. After all his campaigning about eliminating the stupid “don’t ask, don’t tell” military policy, he bailed and is continuing on with it, recently letting one of the US’s mere 54 Arabic translators go. As Jon Stewart mentioned, “near drowning 80-some people is morally justifiable for the military, but if you have a boyfriend… ho ho ho, time to go”.
“You can make ‘em talk, but you can’t make ‘em talk English.”
*****
I love The Roots as a band. Always have. Wasn’t sure what to make of them being on the Jimmy Fallon show, but now I’m sold. They make it tick.
*****
What the broken bats is going on with David Ortiz? Did he back off the “vitamin injections” with this new drug testing chaos? Homie went 0 for 7 last night, stranding TWELVE runners in a 5-4 Sox loss. That ain’t good.
*****
So, I’m a little concerned that as it gets to be summer, I’m going to hate my computer more. I gotta golf today. If you haven’t been to Kelowna, BC in the spring, you’re missing out.
*****
I think the hosts of Canada’s SportsCentre might be funnier than the US’s SportsCenter. Unless it’s Scott Van Pelt and Kenny Mayne, in which case nobody is funnier… but the most part, I’ll give the nod to Canada.
*****
Okay, that’s all for today folks! Hockey starts back up on Sunday, so in the meantime I’ll be keeping it random! Or will I….
I'm a hockey player turned writer. After playing for Alaska Anchorage in the WCHA (NCAA), I carried on with an NHL tryout (New York Islanders in 2007) before spending a couple seasons in the AHL/ECHL (last year was 2008-09). My father, Bob Bourne, won four Stanley Cups with the Islanders in the '80's, as did my fiancee's dad, Clark Gillies. I'm now the web editor for theScore's hockey blog "Backhand Shelf."
You’re wrong JB. On two counts. First, I’m from Charlotte (bigger & better than Raleigh-Durham), and second I’ve been reading since echl.com promoted the maxhockey.com series you’ve done. I’ve been watching hockey longer than the Canes have been here in NC. I’ve chuckled at your stereotypical viewpoint of my home state all this time because frankly you’re a great writer with a good sense of humor. But I feel compelled to speak up after the Canes finally shut up a lot of people.
They didn’t win because they used to be the Whale or because NASCAR’s in town this weekend (and next – which sucks for those of us within earshot of the track) or because its been warm enough to melt ice here since 2008. They’ve made it this far because they’ve outplayed their opponents in the clutch when it counts. Game 7 vs Boston especially was a clinic in good defense that cuts off passing lanes, superior goaltending, and a set of forwards that never gave up despite being completely gassed more than once. I expect a pro athlete to be able to appreciate that, even if we are toothless hillbillies. Given hockey’s current ranking on the popularity meter – sandwiched firmly between caber tossing and salamander racing – we, as members of the hockey community, should be telling everyone we know about performances like we’ve seen this postseason. And that goes for not only the Canes, but the Pens/Caps or Ducks/Wings series too.
But regardless of who you’re pulling for or whose jerseys you wish would catch fire, I’m going to keep reading this. Like I said, you’re putting out a hell of a product here. You definitely have a future outside the rink with writing and I respect that…a lot of guys would just go back to the farm (or whatever Canadian cliche you want to throw out) if they had their jaw busted. Just because you hate the Canes doesn’t mean you’re not worth reading…matter of fact I read a Mets’ fan’s blog too and believe me that is a stretch. Keep it up man, you’re doing great. If you land in the ECHL again next year and happen to come through Charlotte to play, I’ll be at the tunnel to say whats up.
PS, keep putting Roots clips on here and the Canes jerseys are awesome.
Damn. I got told.
Great comment man, and thanks for the kind words. Let me clear up what I can without backpedalling.
I hate the Canes (oh wait, that was already clear). As a sports fan of any league, there’s 30-some teams, and everyone likes a couple and hates a few. In general, we all like teams we live close to, read about, and get to know. Just like anything, the more you know about it, the more comfortable you get with it.
As a Canadian with New York, Los Angeles and Boston ties, The only place I have no allegiance to is the south. I cheered for everyone over the Canes because they were literally the least relatable team for me. This is how being a sports fan works. You cheer for those you see as “us” and boo those you see as “them”.
I’m fairly certain I never said anything overly derogatory (as an adult, I can handle all the “eh”, “beaver” and “maple syrup” jokes you can conjure) about the Carolina’s, but I stand my ground on them continually ruining great playoffs for me (in the same way that the Red Sox ruined the playoffs for Yankees fans in 2004/2007). They’ve been dynamite in the playoffs, like gritty, semi-uninteresting teams with great goaltending occasionally are.
In no way do I want to take away from hockey, but if we end up pandering to teams that we don’t like for fear of turning people away, we don’t have a real sport.
While I hope the Pens win (PS, earlier on I sarcastically and acurately predicted the Canes ruining my fun), I wish you the best. Your comment was intelligent and logical, and I pray to have more readers like you.
And, I also hope that NASCAR decides to run 24/7 for the next two weeks so you have a zero percent chance of sleeping until the Canes lose out.
You lost me at “Go Islanders!”
That’s fair enough, Justin, and I’ll keep you on the RSS feed as long as your kicking out funny intelligent pieces. Oh, and I’ve got to ask…is “Go Islanders” a wish for the draft or what?
Be good man.
Ha, I deleted “Go Islanders” for clarity.
I was just alluding to the fact that I like a really bad team. We’re on the rise though. On. The. Rise.
Matt, good post. Now I’m a New Yorker through and through and we think everyone below the Mason Dixon Line is a “hillbilly” LOL, but I do have a certain soft spot in my heart for Carolina since Peter Laviolette was the coach. I have no particular rooting interest in this year’s Cup run, but I would like to see the final be Hawks vs Hurricanes/Pens. Love to see all the young kids in this year’s final.
Justin on your last comment regarding the Isles, from your lips to God’s ears (if there is such a entity, hope she’s listening).
If the final is Hawks/Canes I might have to find a cheap ticket out East so I can find some fans who plan on watching the games. The fearlessness of the Canes is becoming a pretty exciting story and I can buy them being one of the best if not the best team in the East, but I cannot say “Chicago is the best team from the West” with a straight face. Bitter? Probably. Detroit in 5! Pens in 7! Epic rematch with the kids one year older! PLEASE
You loathed the Nordiques, Whalers and Jets? I can’t speak to the first two, but how could you loathe the Winnipeg Jets?
They never harmed anyone. Seriously. Never. The Jets were just an easy way for other teams to get points.
Hating the Jets is like hating a puppy because it came back with it’s tail wagging after you kicked it.
When I grew up, there were eight NHL teams in Canada. You didn’t have to like them all (just as now, nobody likes all six). Winnipeg was far from me, they were bad most of the time, and weren’t on TV much. I think it’s the same logic I use to hate the Canes now, although granted, I didn’t hate the Jets nearly as much (they were almost winning me over when they left, but not quite).
Admit it though, now the cool thing to do is to act like you were always a die-hard supporter, doesn’t that seem to be the case?