![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
st_emmaI've said for years that my dream Stanley Cup matchup would be the Bruins vs. the Canucks. My two favourite teams - the best teams in the league - duking it out for the Cup.
I got it this year. And I was so, so happy. Now? Now I'm starting to wish I'd never wished for this. All things considered, I think I'd be happier seeing Boston take on San Jose, or Vancouver meet up with Tampa Bay. Because this is hurting me.
It's not that I'm conflicted, necessarily, about who to cheer for. I'm cheerfully cheering for everyone. No, it's because this has basically lifted up a rock and showed me a really ugly side of Boston fandom. One I never wanted to see. In summary: I love the Bruins, but I'm starting to hate their fans.
Exhibit A: I've had to stop reading Boston-area hockey blogs because I am so fucking sick of the people who said nothing about Max Pacioretty all of a sudden getting concerned about hits when it comes to Nathan Horton. I am equally fucking sick of people whinging about what a weaselly little jerk Alex Burrows is without ever once acknowledging that their beloved Brad Marchand is also a weaselly little jerk. Both sides have dirty hands. No one is a saint. Get over it.
Exhibit B: While waiting in the bathroom line between periods tonight, an overzealous Boston fan came running through the concourse, braying about "Vancouver faggots." I trust I don't even have to deconstruct why this is problematic.
Exhibit C (and really, this pretty much just fucking caps it): After Mason Raymond was hit and lay prone on the ice, Boston fans started booing. They weren't booing the hit on him. Presumably they were booing because they've somehow gotten it into their head that Vancouver is all about the faking of injuries. Not only was Raymond not faking, he was whisked to hospital as soon as they got him off the ice. Two of his teammates helped him to his feet, but instead of applauding - which is the standard protocol for any injured player who is helped off the ice - they began to chant for the Bruins. And one very loud, and one can only hope inebriated, man behind me shouted "Bring out a stretcher and then we're even."
I love the Bruins. I really do. And I'd be lying if I said that my opinion wasn't at least partially clouded by the fact that I love the Canucks, too. We're all hungry for the Cup. Tempers are running high on both sides. I get that. But that's no excuse to be evil to each other, on or off the ice.
If this is what Bruins Nation is going to be like, I'm not sure I want to be a part of it.
I got it this year. And I was so, so happy. Now? Now I'm starting to wish I'd never wished for this. All things considered, I think I'd be happier seeing Boston take on San Jose, or Vancouver meet up with Tampa Bay. Because this is hurting me.
It's not that I'm conflicted, necessarily, about who to cheer for. I'm cheerfully cheering for everyone. No, it's because this has basically lifted up a rock and showed me a really ugly side of Boston fandom. One I never wanted to see. In summary: I love the Bruins, but I'm starting to hate their fans.
Exhibit A: I've had to stop reading Boston-area hockey blogs because I am so fucking sick of the people who said nothing about Max Pacioretty all of a sudden getting concerned about hits when it comes to Nathan Horton. I am equally fucking sick of people whinging about what a weaselly little jerk Alex Burrows is without ever once acknowledging that their beloved Brad Marchand is also a weaselly little jerk. Both sides have dirty hands. No one is a saint. Get over it.
Exhibit B: While waiting in the bathroom line between periods tonight, an overzealous Boston fan came running through the concourse, braying about "Vancouver faggots." I trust I don't even have to deconstruct why this is problematic.
Exhibit C (and really, this pretty much just fucking caps it): After Mason Raymond was hit and lay prone on the ice, Boston fans started booing. They weren't booing the hit on him. Presumably they were booing because they've somehow gotten it into their head that Vancouver is all about the faking of injuries. Not only was Raymond not faking, he was whisked to hospital as soon as they got him off the ice. Two of his teammates helped him to his feet, but instead of applauding - which is the standard protocol for any injured player who is helped off the ice - they began to chant for the Bruins. And one very loud, and one can only hope inebriated, man behind me shouted "Bring out a stretcher and then we're even."
I love the Bruins. I really do. And I'd be lying if I said that my opinion wasn't at least partially clouded by the fact that I love the Canucks, too. We're all hungry for the Cup. Tempers are running high on both sides. I get that. But that's no excuse to be evil to each other, on or off the ice.
If this is what Bruins Nation is going to be like, I'm not sure I want to be a part of it.
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}