It's the perennial playoff quandary, especially if you're a Leafs fan like me: What to do when your team doesn't make the playoffs or gets knocked out early? Do you take up the cause of one of the remaining teams, or do you start watching baseball because you can't bear to cheer on a foreign club?
Really, the answer comes down to your definition of a "true fan". Some say that cheering for another team, even for one game, makes you less of a fan of your own team. Others believe it's okay to root for another club, as long as your heart is with the boys in blue and white, or whatever the case may be.
Another relevant issue here is the difference between being a Leafs (or Habs or Flyers) fan and being a hockey fan. Using my example, if you follow the Leafs and only the Leafs, you'll likely switch to the Jays when they get knocked out. But if you enjoy watching any and all hockey, you'll probably keep watching the playoffs and adopt another team for a month or two.
You can put me in the second camp. I nearly always adopt another team once the Leafs go down, unless I hate all the teams left. This year it's Pittsburgh. This doesn't mean that I'm jumping on the Pens bandwagon. I don't try to pass myself off as a lifetime Penguins fan. I'm merely finding a way to continue enjoying the game I love, long after my beloved Buds are gone. I'm saying, "Gee, it would be cool if Pittsburgh won the Cup," but if they don't, I'm not going to lose sleep over it. When the Leafs are eliminated, I do lose sleep over it. That's the difference.
I'm still a true Leafs fan. They're the ones I live and die for during hockey season. Why should I miss out on some entertaining hockey just because my team is still spinning its wheels trying to find a general manager?
Besides, the Jays won't make the playoffs in my lifetime.
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5 months ago
I feel your pain ... living and loving hockey, yet living in an area where there are no NHL franchise teams I find myself supporting a few teams that have local talent on their roster. I follow them throughout the season and the playoffs. If my fav's get knocked out early I tend to root for the underdogs. My habit of rooting for the underdogs means my teams are typically getting knocked out ... I know, I like to punish myself. So, in an attempt to enjoy the rest of the cup series I end up backing another team, just for the enjoyment of the game.
5 months ago
Do what I do....I'm currently in the market to see how many darts games and cricket matches I can watch per weekâeither that or I'll just continue my search to find and marry Taylor Swift (like country music or not, she's hot...let's just hope she likes sports writers...)
The Jays have done way too much "tinkering" with their roster, because the only moves that are necessary are the firing of John Gibbons (he doesn't even deserve the nickname gibby) and that sleazy used car salesman Ricciardi.
As far as hockey goes, I like it when the series are even. I'm still watching in spite of the possibility that both teams could be up 3-0 by the end of today.
My personal lunacy and love of young country starlets *COUGH* ROGER CLEMENS aside, good article Josh, I enjoyed reading it.
BT
5 months ago
Trevor, I live in PEI, so I'm about as far away from an NHL team as you can get. But I've consigned myself to a life of misery by cheering for the *sigh* Leafs...
Bryan, I like the close series too. These playoffs have been a real disappointment in that regard. I just don't understand how two seemingly closely-matched teams like the Stars and Wings can produce a 3-0 series; same with the Stars and Sharks, Stars and Ducks, Pens and Rangers, etc, etc, etc.
I just hope the final goes to six or seven.
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