12/18/24
June 17, 2006
Oil Country vs. Canes Country: A Tale of Two Cities: As a lifetime die-hard Oilers fan, I've had more than a little trouble accepting just the idea that the Stanley Cup could end up in "Canes Country", North Carolina. It's good to see that the media in NC is doing their part to help people understand exactly what the Stanley Cup means to us up here in Canada. That, and after reading this, I have a new respect for their fans (yes, all three of them as th eold adage goes...).
posted by rexthewonderdog to hockey at 04:45 AM - 16 comments
I think it helps that the Hurricanes are based in Raleigh, meaning that it's a distinct market: the NFL and NBA are over in Charlotte, and while they're competing with the Triangle's NCAA teams during the season, there are plenty of non-Carolinians in the area who don't feel any connection to UNC, Duke, State etc. (One irony? The 'Canes home ice is the RBC Center. As in 'Royal Bank of Canada'. Another irony? The 'new NHL' post-strike might end up with... a team from the south-eastern US beating one from Alberta.)
posted by etagloh at 08:45 AM on June 17, 2006
Thx Rex, as a Raleigh resident I appreciate your view. To return a favor, the Edmonton fans are a far better breed than the idiots out of Buffalo. I say this with difficulty because I came out of Western NY. But understand this - the majority of Raleigh residents are in fact reformed northerners. What is more, the *real* southerners are just as rabid fans of the Canes as any Detroit - or even Edmonton fan are of their team. Why? Because Hockey is such a great game. Prima Donnas are reviled, workmen are heroes and the game is just a blast to watch. Come on down next year and see it yourself. Tail gating in January in 60 degree temps is a gas! Raleigh welcomes ANYONE from Edmonton. (Buffalo fans - please stay home. You people are an embarrassment) Who's a thunk it? 5 years ago, no one in their right mind would think a southern city would have a great chance to win the Cup. It is the 'Canes Cup this year to win or lose. (IMHO) In the words of the great "Larry the Cable Guy" GIT 'R DONE!!
posted by storagepro at 12:33 PM on June 17, 2006
Who's a thunk it? 5 years ago, no one in their right mind would think a southern city would have a great chance to win the Cup. Didn't the Florida Panthers get to the finals like 10 years ago?
posted by psmealey at 08:54 AM on June 18, 2006
And who's the defending Cup Champs, anyway? I forget, it's been a couple years since they won it.
posted by chicobangs at 10:07 AM on June 18, 2006
Green Bay?? Noooooooo, that's not it. It's something like that though.
posted by tommybiden at 10:42 AM on June 18, 2006
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Also forgot about Dallas, seems to me they won Lord Stanley's Cup some years back as well.
posted by psmealey at 05:36 PM on June 18, 2006
Hey storagepro why don't you go cut the grass you fucking prick. What did Buffalo ever do to you asshole? The fans here are regular hockey fans, we live, breath and love hockey unlike you fakes in Carolina that couldnt give a damn. Who doesn't sell out a Stanley Cup Finals game? We sold the Eastern Conference Finals out in 12 minutes but we're bad fans. I say hockey has no business being in markets like Carolina where people don't know what a two line pass is. P.S. douschebag 'Canes suck 4-0 Oilers? This series is over. Mike Commodore takes it in the ass. Rod Brindamore looks like he got hit by a car then got up and got hit again. And what's with dressing Eric Cole? The guy can't do anything..He's hurt! But lets dress him and get some momentum..riiiiiiiiight good thinking Lavolette (i dont know how to spell it) you jerk.Carolina fans need to go to hell, you don't deserve the Cup like the Sabres did or The Oilers do. You have to pay your dues as a fan, ten years in the league is not long enough. Any way commander dipshit this will probably make you think less of Buffalonians but we just love our hockey team like you love yours and we like to drink so deal with it.
posted by buffalo will never win at 07:09 PM on June 18, 2006
Any way commander dipshit this will probably make you think less of Buffalonians No I can't possibly see why anyone would choose to share storagepro's beliefs after that wonderfully written composition on the beauty of being a Buffalo fan. The fans here are regular hockey fans, we live, breath and love hockey unlike you fakes in Carolina that couldnt give a damn. but we just love our hockey team like you love yours Let me try to get this right. You live, breath, and love hockey while Carolinans don't give a damn. However, you love your hockey team just as much as the don't give a damn Carolinans. Riiiight.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 08:38 PM on June 18, 2006
This thread is just sad, given the series this has been. I, with no stake in either team, and as a cat living (well) below the Mason-Dixon, can't wait for tomorrow night's game, no matter who wins. This is the NHL's best scenario (given the teams playing) to get fans back.
posted by Ufez Jones at 09:39 PM on June 18, 2006
You have to pay your dues as a fan, ten years in the league is not long enough. As a Maple Leaf fan, I'm going to ask the Buffalo fan to shut his pie hole about "paying dues". /expects Blackhawks fan to return the favour
posted by grum@work at 11:11 PM on June 18, 2006
I've enjoyed the Cup finals thus far (and the Eastern Conference finals weren't too bad either.) Edmonton's shown an amazing amount of resiliency and heart this postseason; and Carolina's shown the ability to WARD off adversity. It's not surprising that this series is going 7. HeLL (<--double hockey sticks--not a caps lock problem)--the 2003-04 Cup finals were fun to watch too. (Especially because Calgary lost.) Now if the Oil Slicks would just lose game 7--Damn 'Nucks! 3 points out of the 8th spot! This could've been you with a chance to hoist the Cup..eh I doubt it.
posted by curtangle at 12:07 AM on June 19, 2006
I'm rooting for Edmonton, and I have to admit that it would feel slightly wrong to me for Carolina to win this thing - only because it hurts to see the Cup go where it's not truly understood. But hell, the 'Canes have been a pretty impressive franchise for building two Cup teams in the last five years. It's no fluke. I had a great time partying with 'Canes fans in 2002 when I went down to watch a Leaf game. So hospitable and welcoming - and they back their team... But to feel the people of Edmonton coming through that TV screen - can you imagine being in the tunnel before the game starts and hearing that? That passion is not duplicated in some Canadian markets, let alone in NC. It would hurt those people so much more to lose. Not that means anything when it actually comes to the players, but it means a little something to me.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:15 AM on June 19, 2006
I'm pulling for Edmonton to win, but I'm not going to be too disappointed if Carolina wins. They earned their home ice advantage for game 7, so if they capitalize on it, it's well deserved.
posted by grum@work at 11:27 AM on June 19, 2006
I'm a little torn now myself. I was rooting for Carolina, but I like how well the Oilers have done since losing their "star" goaltender. Most people counted them out, but here we are with a game 7 tonight. I think I'm still gonna root for the Canes tonight though, because I feel bad for NoMich after they jacked up the ticket prices on him. It's should be an game exciting either way because the Stanley Cup is going to be awarded. If you don't enjoy that ceremony, then you are dead inside.
posted by MrFrisby at 01:01 PM on June 19, 2006
If the Oilers pull it out tonight, this town (Edmonton) will explode. Completely fucking explode. Old, young, men, women, I have not met a single person here who doesn't care. OILERS!!!!
posted by alex_reno at 06:01 PM on June 19, 2006
I find myself torn between the two franchises. The purist and underdog spirit in me wants Edmonton to win it, while the other half (redneck) of me wants Carolina to win. You have to love the tailgating aspect of it. Do dey do dat up der in Edmonton, eh? If anyone has a picture of that, I'd love to see it!