Montreal Canadiens' Unfanmanship Conduct: R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

There is only one step between love and hate, they say. The switch from love to hate at a Montreal Canadiens game does bring up every truth of that cheesy adage.   

Prior to the game, the thrill and excitement as people gather for the tailgate party is palpable, and so far, the Habs are the best team the world of sports has ever created. 

Painted faces, wigs, and flags are seen everywhere: our team made it to the playoffs, and they come home for another battle that will require maximum support. 

Inside, the inspiration and the energy that lift the crowd as the team enters the ice for the warm up have no possible comparison. For the next two and a half hours, nothing is more important than the Montreal Canadiens.  

Tonight, we will be the better team. Tonight we will make it through, and beat those big bad Bruins. 

And then come the national anthems. 

It has been taught by our predecessors in how-to-be-a-Canadiens-fan class that everything that has to do with the Boston Bruins is a subject of despise. 

But then, how exactly does the booing of the American national anthem represent a statement in terms of Habs-ism? 

Three of the Montreal Canadiens players were born in the U.S. and grew up on Long Island. One actually scored the first goal of the night, and the other is supposed to represent a pillar in terms of defence. Oh, and he's the alternate captain. The last one won the cup with the team back in 1993, and brought a dead power play to life after the trade deadline. 

Among those 21,973 fans attending the game, I do believe that there are Americans standing, sporting Habs jerseys, and belonging to Habs land as proudly as Canadians; adding to the many more who follow the team from the USA. 

Nonetheless, my hat goes off to the fans who decided to respond with shushes, and started to sing loud and clear to counter attack; trying to pick up the pieces. 

As the starting line up was announced, starting goaltender Carey Price – who let in five goals the game before – did not gather much appreciation from those who expected back up goalie Jaroslav Halak to hold the fort. 

The disappointment is legitimate, I suppose. He has been weak, and there is no human way to be satisfied with his performance. But then, what is the purpose of booing him and/or Bob Gainey if that will do nothing to the decision? 

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