Who is Your Backup Team

Comments 11 by Rebecca Bollwitt

There are only two games left in round one of the NHL playoffs, both coming down to the wire for the Caps vs Flyers, and the Sharks vs Flames. Tonight the Habs took the Bruins in another Game 7, which is probably for the best since my nephews now all own sweaters and my niece wouldn’t have grown into my Boston jersey for another few years.

Whenever the home team gets left behind for the post season those who aren’t too soured on the entire sport chose another team to follow.


Photo credit: Darren Barefoot on Flickr

With hockey sometimes it’s the “other Canadian teams” in the playoffs or perhaps the team that beat us out because hey – it stings a bit less to know you were defeated by the best. Other times you’ll start to root for your favourite player, you’ll chose a team by geographical location, or finally your friend has a favourite team and since you’ll be watching the playoffs together you just go along with their choice.

I’ve poked around the blogosphere to see who’s looking good to some bruised Canucks fans right about now:

  • I’m pretty sure DaveO is backing the Caps and aside from Alex the Great, it may have something to do with Cookie being over there.
  • Rod’s got a playoff pool going on Canuck Nation.
  • Jennifer usually loves the Canucks but is a Habs fan at heart: “It’s true, I bleed bleu, blanc and rouge… …I even owned a hair scrunchie and a sweet pair of shoes with logos on them. I had earrings and necklaces to go with my hoodies, t-shirts, shorts, pants and socks.”
  • Canucks Fangirl wonders if she’s a traitor for watching other teams.
  • Terry speculates which ex-Canuck will take the Cup, “Two (maybe three) ex-Canucks have the best shot at touching the cup this spring. They include one time rental Bryan Somlinski with the Habs and lovable pest Jarkko Ruutu with the Penguins. Add to this a reasonable chance for D-Man Adrian Aucoin and the Flames IF Iggy and crew can get by the Sharks.”
  • And Yankee Canucks isn’t too sure, “With no real stake left in hockey and my preferred team rapidly becoming a laughing stock, I feel now is a good time to run out of the country for a few days. I could come back and a Muppet could be the GM of the Canucks who knows?” but does play favourites in the end, however he’ll come back to find out only one of his picks is still alive… (at least until tomorrow).
  • So how about everyone else? You can select up to two answers in the Miss604 Poll below:

    [poll=6]

    I’ve been keeping my eye on the Eastern Conference as I am one of those bitter people who can’t stand to look at any other team in the West right now. I must admit, it’s been some pretty fantastic hockey with end to end action and the league’s most exciting players.

    Tuesday will decide which other two teams carry on to round two with the Washington vs Philly at 7pm ET and San Jose vs Calgary at 10pm ET.

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    11 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

    1. KeithTuesday, April 22nd, 2008 — 1:08am PDT

      Eastern conference. I can’t bear to see the Flames win… despite their relative geographic proximity to GM place. As a kid it would have been the flames hands down… no longer. Go Habs Go! (though it PAINS me to say that)

    2. SeanTuesday, April 22nd, 2008 — 4:02am PDT

      GO NY Rangers Go!!!

    3. DanTuesday, April 22nd, 2008 — 6:44am PDT

      Gotta say, I really hope the Flames pull it out in the west! (they’re my “other Canadian team”)

      As for the east… being from Toronto, I can’t say I’ve got much (or any) love for Montreal heh I would love to see Crosby and Pittsburgh go all the way so soon into his career!

    4. Keira-AnneTuesday, April 22nd, 2008 — 8:41am PDT

      I’ve actually recently been schooled in the ways of the Canadiens – primarily the history and legacy of the team. That said, if I didn’t hop on the Habs train, I’d probably be chastised. However, given the class that Montréal exudes, it’s not a hardship to throw my support behind that team.

    5. BethTuesday, April 22nd, 2008 — 9:19am PDT

      I’m bitter… so bitter… so I’m not watching any hockey (although I am still playing hockey). As long as the Flames don’t win, I’ll be happy. Go Habs go, I guess?

    6. TawcanTuesday, April 22nd, 2008 — 10:11am PDT

      I’m keeping my eyes on the Washington & Philly series. I want Washington to play Pittsburgh at some point.

      I am hoping the Flames will lose tonight so my friends that are Calgary fans can’t brag about how well the team is doing.

      Go Habs go!

    7. JackieTuesday, April 22nd, 2008 — 10:22am PDT

      Ohhh, I’ll be SO GLAD when this hockey is over, and my husband gives me the remote back! I hate having to wait 2 months to see my favourite show in prime-time: Coronation Street. I AM A HOCKEY WIDOW!!

    8. DarrenTuesday, April 22nd, 2008 — 11:42am PDT

      Vive les Habs! Actually, I’d love to watch the Penguins go all the way–it’s fun to see a dynasty in the making.

      Thanks for using my photo. I snapped it a few years ago in Dublin, Ireland of all places. It’s the last place I’d expect to see a Habs sticker (particularly stuck to a very Euro scooter).

    9. JenTuesday, April 22nd, 2008 — 12:42pm PDT

      My husband and I have each selected a team to root for – he’s on for the Habs and I am rooting for the Flames. We have a bet on who will go farther. I’m also glued to the ticker about who is going to helm the Canucks. I love off ice off season stuff.

    10. teflonjediTuesday, April 22nd, 2008 — 6:02pm PDT

      Yup, I’m with the Holy Team (the Canadiens)…though watching the games from, uh, China, is a little difficult…

    11. DaveOThursday, April 24th, 2008 — 10:13am PDT

      I am only sorta watching the west (indeed the pain of watching our “rivals” is too great) but the Eastern matchups have been a treat – end to end, smart hockey. Malkin alone is a revelation. I am now hoping for a Habs-Pens conf finals with Mario Lemieux and Guy Lafleur both watching from perches on high.

      PS Did anyone else think of Guy when Kovalev scored his helmet-less goal?

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