NHL

[imec]

Go Habs!

[lagatta]

I know "it's not over until its over" but alas they didn't. Lots of dejected fans in Tricolore jerseys hereabouts. It would be great if there could be another turnabout in Philly, but I rather doubt it.

The mood was really splendid here after the last, unexpected home-ice win. There had been a little bit of ugliness after the Canadiens won the last round - personally I think it was simply thieves taking advantage of the gathering of somewhat drunk and enthusiastic fans to loot a select few businesses - a sporting goods store and a Société des alcools du Québec - but everything was peaceful last time; I think people were really pissed off about the spot of ugliness.

We lost because we didn't win.
Ronaldo
Brazilian football (soccer) player.

[fumobici]

As an old, old Habs fan I daren't hope. I used to watch them play every week of the season on SRC Soirée du hockey back in the Partrick Roy era, but now- post Serge Savard becoming GM, post Forum- I just can't watch any longer.

It was a great run leading up to the last Cup in the '80s and '90s though.

[lagatta]

Yes, that was wonderful - truly sporting magic, and I'm far from the biggest sport fan on earth. My old fartishness is of course revealed by the fact that I still speak of the Forum. Bravo for listening to the matches in French.

I still hope they win as it will be such a nice party here - throughout the city and suburbs, and indeed much of Québec - but am not counting on it.

I remember cycling through an alley and a guy was lovingly painting Stanley Cups on his slightly-beat-up old van (not a Volkswagen van, but that type). That was truly an expression of popular culture.

[imec]

Go Rangers!

[cristina]

May 9, 2012 21:18:32 GMT imec said:

Go Rangers!

Seriously, imec?

The former Winnipeg Jets, now the Phoenix Coyotes, have advanced further than ever in their entire history. And they are such a likeable team!

Although I am personally torn during this cup. The Caps are the only team I have ever seen play live - and that is my home town (and they beat the Rangers tonight!)

I'm also excited for the Coyotes because I lived in Phoenix for so long, and plus - they are a desert hockey team. People are always shocked that Phoenix has hockey fans, not realizing that half the population consists of transplants from the US Midwest = Hockey Central.

Finally, I'm excited for my new city's team, the Kings. But I am willing to give up rooting for them as long as the Lakers or the Clippers stay in the NBA championship. Also, I follow basketball more than hockey.

I'll end with "Go Caps!" or possibly "Go 'Yotes!"

[imec]

I know it may seem odd that I would not be supporting the team that was once the Winnipeg Jets but there are just too many hard feelings. Prior to acquiring the Atlanta Thrashers and moving them to Winnipeg to become the new Jets, True North Sports and Entertainment (the owners of the new Jets) fought very hard to bring the original Jets (the Phoenix Coyotes - owned by the NHL since 2009 when the owner declared bankruptcy) back to Winnipeg. Despite a consistently poor attendance record (lowest in the league by far) and massive losses which have been covered by the city of Glendale (a city which can ill afford the tab), Glendale city council, egged on by a very small number of vocal fans, stubbornly held on to the team guaranteeing to the NHL that they would cover the losses to the tune of about $25M for the year.

Now a private investor has bellied up to "buy" the Coyotes and keep them in Phoenix/Glendale - not without some catches though. The private investor has effectively asked the city for $306M over 20 years with $96M of that amount due in the first 5. And ok, sure, the Coyotes have a good run at the cup this year and if they win, one would at least hope that attendance for next year will increase - but for how long? Bottom line for me is that Phoenix/Glendale can't sustain this business model and based on fan support to date, does not deserve this team and do not deserve a Stanley Cup win. As for the players, my view is that these guys win big when they get signed to the NHL - the salaries are very very good and the "job" is pretty sweet. The Cup belongs to the fans in my eyes - without them, there would be no team. That lesson was learned in Winnipeg when our team was taken away from us in 1996 (it should be said though that fan support, although not the best at the time, was a secondary issue - a very weak ownership structure was the main factor).

That team was our team once and should have been again. Many of us feel we were robbed by the city of Glendale. Hence, for this Stanley Cup, I heart NY.

[cristina]

Imec, I do appreciate how you feel, especially since I have experienced the "stolen team" in my lifetime.

I think Jerry Moyes was not the best original owner as he was (and still is) , IMO, kind of slimy.

As for Phoenix, the Coyotes should have stayed in downtown Phoenix rather than move to Glendale. I completely agree that the Glendale decision was a bad one. (Understand that Glendale is a suburb of Phoenix.)

At any rate, my Caps lost last night. I realized they were my true love for the Cup. So now I am rooting for the Kings. Sorry Rangers fans.

In the meantime, I got to watch the Lakers live and in person last night. Holy Cow was that fun! ;D

[cristina]

I got watch the parade today for LA Kings. Although I'm not necessarily a Kings fan it was fun to be part of the celebration. The parade started a few blocks before my office and went down our street. Lots fans and confetti!

I have a sort of pathetic photo of the parade and cup, but won't share because a) its a sad photo, and b) I have a new computer and am trying to remember or recreate all of my user names/passwords. Not there yet with photobucket.