The Greater Meaning Of The Stanley Cup
Equipped with the lexicon of hockey platitudes generously provided by yourselves, I ventured last night down to Elgin St. and took in The Game in the company of friends. And I must say, I think I was reasonably convincing, relying on a combination of mock-rapt attention to the screen, cheering and booing a quarter second after everyone else did, and periodically deploying predigested pellets of hockey wisdom, (e.g., a Zen-like “It’s Anybody’s Game”.) All in all, I think in all modesty I gave a pretty good impression of someone who (a) understood what was going on, and (b) gave a shit.
What was really interesting, however, was the discussion during the breaks, where I learned from the folks in the bar that this was all about much more than hockey. This series is, it seems, an apocalyptic showdown between Canada and the United States, a symbolic struggle fraught with Manichean overtones, a gladiatorial contest in which the favour of the hockey gods provides us with a sign of heaven’s will. With each successive beer, paradoxically, the cosmic importance of the battle got clearer, while the specifics of the issues actually being adjudicated by the gods through this medium got fuzzier.
So again, I turn to you, my hockey mentors, for help. If the Ottawa Senators (and by extension, Canada) win the Stanley Cup, is this a sign that:
a) The Canadian Health Care system is superior;
b) We were right not to send troops to Iraq;
c) We shouldn’t elect judges;
d) The hockey gods want us to meet our Kyoto targets
e) All of the above
f) Other: _______________________________________
Looking forward to your clarification. Please get back to me before the next game.
f) Other: Lord Stanley will rise from the grave, and walk amongst us, bringing salvation to the believers (Ottawa fans) and healing the sick (Toronto fans). The holy host of angels will sing (Hockey night in Canada theme) and all across the land, there will be rejoicing.
There are many other permutations and possibilities in this frail universe, my friend. Ipso fatso, sin-quote-nine, that Canada’s Harper is better than Dubya? That imperial gallons are cheaper than U.S. gallons? That metric rules?? OMG, that you might actually be able to use an Amurrican quarter instead of moose money in snack machines???
I feel a rift in the force.
I think the bigger question is whether Ottawa is an extension of Canada in this scenario?
I do feel some need to (VERY reluctantly this year) cheer for the team based in Canada, which is my usual tendancy once my team is eliminated, but I know a LOT of Canadians don’t feel the same way (especially, though by no means exclusively, Leafs fans) and even I’m pretty indifferent, despite my usual patriotic bandwagon hopping.
Plenty of people will point out that there are more Canadians on the Ducks than there are on the Sens, and the main reason they know that is because people went actively searching for excuses not to cheer for Ottawa in the finals. I don’t think it’s the same as when Edmonton and Calgary were recently in the finals. Here in Southern Ontario at least, people were on that bandwagon pretty quick, rallying behind the “Canadian” side. When the Sens make the final, people outside of Ottawa (in Southern Ontario anyway) actively pursue justifications to NOT cheer for the “Canadian” side (mostly, by arguing it’s not REALLY the “Canadian” side). I imagine there might have been similar feeling in Edmonton when the Flames were in, and in Calgary when the Oilers were in, but I think it’s different for Ottawa. I know there are Flames and Oilers fans outside of Alberta. I think you’d be hard pressed to find a Sens fan outside of Ottawa (frankly, you’re hard-pressed to find a Sens fan INSIDE of Ottawa, as they’re outnumbered by Leafs fans).
Anyway, before we invest the series with international implications, it’s best we all agree which team is the “Canadian” one. In the GTA, I think you’re just as likely to hear “Anaheim” as “Ottawa” in response to that question. Personally, I’d like to see a banner raised North of the border, and for a group of Canadian FANS to get a Cup for their team, so I can’t bring myself to cheer for a team that will raise it’s banner in California before an American crowd. It drives me nuts though. The only teams I dislike more are all South of the Mason Dixon, and that’s more philosophical than passionate. Ottawa is exactly the kind of team that drives one to counting how many Canadians play for the team from Southern California. And now I have to root for them to win the Cup. Unlike many, I just can’t rationalize my way out of it.
Damn Senators.
JonZor is on to something.
It means that Lord Stanley and all the hockey greats of posterity will not allow their cup to be engraved with the preposterous Hollywood (Americanized) name “Mighty Ducks”.
Maple syrup vs. Pancake syrup. You’d think it would be obvious. But we’re waiting for god to weigh in, and god is known to appreciate strange sects and corn syrup products both. Go fig’.
f) Other … it is a sign that we are “living” in The Matrix!
(sorry – couldn’t resist)
Actually, in all seriousness, I don’t think most people necessarily think of this all as being about “beating the Americans” so much as it’s about a Canadian team winning the Stanley Cup. LORD Stanley’s Cup. The Governor General’s Cup. If you see where I’m going.
It’s not about demonstrating our superiority to Americans or anything. After all, Teemu Selanne wasn’t born in Michigan. And neither was Chris Pronger. But for me, the thing is, it’s OUR Cup, and I’d just as soon that one of our teams holds it as any other. Sure the teams are all professional now, and the players from all over (though still, mostly Canadian). I’d still rather see them raise a Stanley Cup Banner and have a parade in Ottawa than in Anaheim. And as contradictory as it is, to tell the truth I’m not at all happy that that’s the way it is. But that’s still the way it is.
Dammit. (mumble mumble).
I think it’s a pretty horrible thing to say that it’s hard to find sens fans in Ottawa.. You must have your eyes binded shut and your ears plugged by Leaf’s propaganda LKO