Dear Canadian Hockey Fans,
At about
that very same time there was an audible exclamation from bars and living rooms
across the rest of Canada "Oh shit, here we go again" as Montreal's
1993 run of playoff magic popped into minds from east to west.
At about 9:40 PM (EDT) last Tuesday the Montreal Canadiens completed a four-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first
round of the NHL playoffs. With just seconds remaining in a 3-3 game and
overtime looming Max Pacioretty scored to send the Lighting packing. At about
that very same time there was an audible exclamation from bars and living rooms
across the rest of Canada; "Oh shit, here we go again" as Montreal's
1993 run of playoff magic popped into minds from east to west.
Don't get me wrong, one series - even a swept
one - does not a Stanley Cup make. No one here, except maybe the mayor, is
planning a championship parade. There is a long way to go, hopefully much more hockey to be played, but so far so good.
As the only Canadian team to make the
post-season, Montreal has become the darling of hockey fans nationwide. Ha! I
don't think so, but nor do I blame fans in other cities. I don't think I could
pull for the Maple Leafs if they were the only club to make it.
So for those of you in the rest of Canada, you
have two choices, either maintain an ABM - Anyone But Montreal - approach, or
embrace the Habs as your team. Should you choose the latter, here are some tips
that may come in handy.
Being the sole
Canadian representative isn't really noticeable here: the pressure to win the Stanley
Cup is always cranked-up to 100% in Montreal. Once Jacques Villeneuve was asked if he gave a
little something extra when racing on the circuit named for his late father. He
simply said No, and went on to explain that if he could give a little extra in
one race, he must be giving less than 100% in the others. Jacques clearly
understands that no matter how popular the expression has become in sports
journalism, it is impossible to give 110%!
So for those of you in the rest of Canada, you
have two choices, either maintain an ABM - Anyone But Montreal - approach, or
embrace the Habs as your team. Should you choose the latter, here are some tips
that may come in handy.
Olé Olé
The Olé Olé song is sung at various points
during games when things are going well. It isn't the Montreal version of the Na
Na Hey Hey Good-Bye song that some fans sing when they feel their team has the
game in the bag. So singing Olé Olé in the first period is not being cocky.
Forum Ghosts
The Montreal Forum was home to the Canadiens
until 1996. Many cup championship teams called the Forum home, but the Habs
have yet to win since leaving. Over the years the ghosts of champions past were
rumoured to play a role in the team's success. (Just ask Don Cherry about a
certain too many men on the ice penalty.)
The team's dearth of cups since moving has caused
some to wonder if the ghosts got lost on the way to their new home. Eighteen
years is a long time to go a dozen blocks or so, even if your are an apparition. But in
fairness to the spirits of past champs, when they set out in 1996 they were
looking for a place called the Molson Centre which is now called the BELL Centre.
Confusing no doubt. Something else that may account for their tardiness are the
many distractions along the way. You see aside from Stanley Cup hockey, as anyone who lives here can attest, Montreal is
well known for its beautiful women, some of whom work in various establishments that call for them to wear very little if anything. Several of these infamous clubs are to be
found between the Forum and the current home of the Habs. If those ghosts got
lost and ended up in Stanley Street's Chez Parée, we may never see another
Stanley Cup!
Youppi!
Many long-time Habs fans yearn for the days
before laser shows, blaring music and mascots were the norm in the NHL. But Youppi! may have found his way into the
hearts of even the most traditional fans because of his pedigree. Youppi! was
hired by the Canadiens after he was unceremoniously cut free from the Expos
when they were unceremoniously taken away from us. Somehow having the orange
Muppet around adds a little something. The Expos-related banners that hang from
the BELL Centre rafters alongside the Habs' are also a nice touch. National Anthem
As Kate Smith, and her rousing rendition of God Bless America, became a tradition for the Philadelphia Flyers, Ginette Reno's O Canada is becoming one to the Canadiens. Playing O Canada is sometimes a bit dicey in Montreal, given the odd leather-lunged separatist's penchant to boo, but lately it seems there are a whole lot more folks singing than just Ginette!
There you have it, now sit back and enjoy the ride either by hopping on the bandwagon, or looking forward to seeing the wheels fall off!
Cheers,
Deegan
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