Note – I am writing this post in my kitchen wearing my Vancouver Millionaires sweater I bought a few weeks ago, for the sole reason that if I wear something Canucks on game days to work, I can dress casually. I am not a bandwagon-jumper, an enthused fan, or a hockey hater.
Where are you watching the game tonight? What do you mean you’re not?! It’s the play-offs?!?!
I’ve heard this exact line of questioning exactly 10 times today and countless other times over the series. (Is series even the right word?)
I know this is going to make me a bit of an outcast in Vancouver but I have to come clean about something; I have not been watching the Finals, in fact I haven’t been watching all season. OK that’s a bit of an exaggeration, I have watched a few games out with friends and was lucky enough to get to go to a game this year. But I have not stopped my life for hockey and frankly while the Canucks are facing the possibility of winning the cup for the first time, or first time in 40 years (whatever), I am facing mid-terms and moving.
Don’t get me wrong it’s not that I don’t like hockey, it’s a lot fun to watch live; and going out to see the game at pubs with friends is fun, but for me that’s more about hanging out with friends and being in a room full of boys. What it is, is that I just don’t care. I don’t want the Canucks to lose, but frankly if they win it won’t change much for me either.
I live right downtown Vancouver, between the stadium and Granville street so I don’t need to watch; I hear the goals, the loud cheers from groups of people in condos and pubs surrounding my apartment, the excitement is overwhelming! The people partying in the street afterward I’m not thrilled about but I will never be one who complains about others having fun. Unless your fun is coming right into my face and screaming “Go Canucks Go! Show us your tits!” then, well then I will complain. (OK so I didn’t so much “complain” as tell him to get his drunk douchey-ass out of my face and some other choice expletives.)
I loved the street celebrations during the Olympics, the cowbell at 4 am made the next day at work at bit difficult, but I digress. This is different, without the world watching, the vibe doesn’t feel as fun, in fact at times it feels a bit threatening. Large groups of drunk men grabbing at girls on the street makes me nervous, it makes me dread the final game, win or lose. Always a few bad apples.
The real fans (like some of my amazing friends & family) are so excited. They are personally invested in “their” team and are wishing, praying, growing beards, wearing the same socks, watching with the same people; whatever they can do to bring luck to the team. I think it’s awesome, I do. But like I commented Saturday night I don’t think I’ve ever felt as passionately about anything as some fans feel about a group of guys they don’t even know slapping a puck around a sheet of ice. It truly amazes me.
With Canuck fever infecting the city, no one is talking about anything else; there is the breakdown of the game the day after. The armchair coaches talking about what should’ve happened on the ice, what bad calls the Refs made (incidentally, why would anyone ever want to be a Ref they take so much abuse), and day-of, a breakdown of who is watching where and an explanation of whatever superstition they are using to get their team the Cup. Even the local newspapers have become giant sport sections, it’s like the world has stopped outside of the rink. For someone like me play-off time can be a lonely time. I have nothing to contribute to hockey talk, fortunately to fit-in in this city all you have to say is “Go, Canucks Go!”
She's Not That Positive 