I need to find a bandwagon to hitch a ride with

by Stanley Cup of Chowder on May 15, 2009 4:44 PM EDT

Bandwagon_medium

The B's were sent packing last night by the Carolina Hurricanes in the most excruciating way possible, so now I am left without a rooting interest in the NHL playoffs. If you have ever taken a look at Nielsen Ratings for the Boston market, you know that most Boston sports fans could care less unless their team is in it. I have always been one of those fans. Unless a team from New England is involved or I have some sort of vested interest, I could care less. This year, I am going to try my hardest to stay interested in the playoffs now that my B's are booking tee times. So, I thought I would breakdown the four teams left and see what team deserves my half-hearted support.

We'll start in the East with the Carolina Hurricanes while the wounds are still fresh.

Carolina Hurricanes

I can't muster up too many positive feelings for the Hurricanes after this series. It is safe to say that Scott Walker has a new middle name in Boston. The Canes won the Cup in '06. The "Caniacs" don't deserve to be spoiled with 2 Cups in 4 seasons after only 11 years of existence. They need to suffer a little bit first. Trust me, it makes victory that much sweeter. Sorry "goobers", I'm not drinking the Canes' sweet tea this year.

Pittsburgh Penguins

I have a hard time rooting for Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Has there ever been a more unlikeable superstar in the history of the National Hockey League? Can you really trust a captain that can't even grow a playoff beard? Their fans aren't smart enough to figure out that the road team wears white now. Their owner is a manipulative bastard who played everyone (including his own fans) for fools in order to get an arena deal. A lot of people have been saying some pretty nasty things about Western Pennsylvania and I couldn't agree more. Sorry Pens fans, there is only one team that wears black & gold that I root for.

Detroit Red Wings

I have a lot of respect for the dynasty that the Red Wings have built in Detroit, but I'm tired of seeing players take a hometown discount to play for the Wings. They must be a great organization to play for because nobody wants to live in Detroit. I mean really, have you ever been to Detroit? Sorry Wings fans, it's you against the world.

Chicago Blackhawks

An Original 6 team that was owned by one of the worst owners in sports that hasn't won a Cup in close to 50 years. Where have I heard this story before? It sounds so familiar, but I can't quite place where I have heard it before. The Hawks have a good mix of talented young forwards and guys with a bruising physical presence. I think I have found my team (at least until I inevitably lose interest a few games from now). Good news, you can even watch them on TV this year!

Poll

Who are you rooting for now that the B's were knocked out?

Carolina

136 votes

Pittsburgh

99 votes

Detroit

88 votes

Chicago

183 votes

Providence Bruins

41 votes

Who cares. The B's are out. Screw everyone else.

65 votes

612 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Former Detroiter, current Caps fan

Really really wanted to see the B’s go up against the Pens and school their asses. That said, if the Canes can’t pull it off, I’d go for the Wings to put the Pens back in their place. If that doesn’t happen, Hossa will feel like a total ass.

by boutros23 on May 15, 2009 6:52 PM EDT reply actions

Detroit fan here

Terrible decision going with Chicago… I’m not even sure if they will make it to a game 6 to be honest…

It’s not just confidence that I have, it’s fact. Anaheim was the second best team in the playoffs, believe it or not. They upset the #1 overall seed and almost upset the #2 seed. Chicago has beaten two mediocre teams in the Flames and Canucks. If either one of those teams were able to win the series, I can guarantee you everyone would expect the Wings to dominate and maybe even sweep.

However, everyone seems to be riding the momentum of Chicago. Let’s not forget they are a young and relatively inexperienced team. Now I can give you the bullshit saying that the Wings will do away with Chicago because of experience alone, but Calgary was able to undermine that argument. The Wings will dominate because they are more talented, period.

I don’t want to hear about how great Khabibulin has been playing, because the Wings have already dealt with the best goaltender in the playoffs. If Chicago makes mistakes at all, they will pay. If they take any penalties, they are done. In order for Chicago to win this series, they’d need to be perfect, and I just don’t see it. The Ducks were amazing, and yet they only made it so close because they played dirty and got away with many penalties.

Chicago is not a rough and tough team, they are based on speed and skill alone. Detroit has enough speed to match that though. Think about it, if Datsyuk gets going, this series is over when it starts. There is NO way Chicago can beat Detroit at it’s best.

by ZWC11 on May 15, 2009 8:02 PM EDT reply actions

“Rooting for” doesn’t mean “thinks will win”

by Toe Nash on May 15, 2009 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions

They hit more then you think

They are also one of the only teams in the league that might be faster. The Hawks have the third most hits in the playoffs, and have scored the most goals(44 in 12 games to 45 in 13 for the Penguins). They have comeback in 6 of the 8 playoff game wins and have scored something like 20 out of their 44 goals in the third period. They are relentless, but will all the pressure of whats on the line finally catch up to the kids? If it doesn’t they have a good chance to upset Detroit.

by SLAZZ on May 15, 2009 8:09 PM EDT reply actions

I love that

Every Bruins fan I talk to is on board with the ChiHawks.

It was my natural instinct too.

by ike6116 on May 15, 2009 8:56 PM EDT reply actions

They need to suffer a little bit first.

What, failing to make the playoffs the next 2 years wasn’t enough? It sure sucked for us Hurricanes fans. ;) Anyway, of the four teams left, I actually rather like both the Pens and the Hawks too, so I’ll be cheering on Chicago with you, at least until the SCF.

by hip_check on May 15, 2009 10:49 PM EDT reply actions

Talk to me when the Canes have a 37 year Cup drought.

Stanley Cup of Chowder: A Hearty Serving of Hockey in The Hub

by Stanley Cup of Chowder on May 15, 2009 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions

We’ve only won it once and haven’t won anything this year, except the right to go to the next round.

I’m a little bit confused though, people keep saying the Walker shouldn’t have even been in game 7, but, if the league had suspended Walker for one game, wouldn’t he have missed game 6 instead of game 7?

by kcljar on May 16, 2009 8:18 AM EDT up reply actions

A lot of people (including myself) thought he deserved more than one game. The automatic suspension is one game, but when Campbell reviewed it he could have increased the number of games.

Stanley Cup of Chowder: A Hearty Serving of Hockey in The Hub

by Stanley Cup of Chowder on May 16, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

How does he deserve more then one game? Your own post about it highlited the RULE that said it would have been ONE game.

Who knew Boston fans(and Aaron Ward) were so damn sensitive.

“Talk to me when the Canes have a 37 year Cup drought” well… if you add the Hartford days(which I know you dont think they should be added because you have some kind of lame Boston area god-complex thing going on) that would make it 26-ish years. SOOORRY we just have better managment. Get over it.

by packpigskinfan25 on May 16, 2009 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions

To tell you the truth, I kind of like the Blackhawks myself.

The last period of their Game 6 against Vancouver was truly chair-arm-gripping stuff.

by WWWebb on May 15, 2009 11:56 PM EDT reply actions

SCC- I know you like stories behind stories so I thought I'd pass this along..

Ernie Behrle Just saw this posted on the Canes website.. shows the type of guy Scorry (sic) [Scotty] Walker is… from a Boston fan

To Whom it may concern—-I just wanted to drop you a note telling you how appreciative my friend’s son was last night of rec’ing the game puck—it really made his night—even though the Bruins lost—Walker did not have to do that but he singled out a 9 year old boy to flip the puck to him—-to me that is what Pro Sports are all about. And Walker showed GREAT Respect for the game, the Team, and the FANS…HE IS a Class Act—and a great representative for your organization—-please thank him for me.

Regards, Craig

by WWWebb on May 16, 2009 12:28 AM EDT reply actions

SCOC we have our villains too….(see Orpik on Cole) so even though you might not like it….WE WERE THE BETTER TEAM WHEN IT MATTERED! Now if we lose to the Pens….yea I will be mad but would pull for the Pens because I can not STAND the “dead things”! Now a Hawks-Pens(or Canes) would be hard to pick a team to pull for……

by lrcaniac on May 16, 2009 8:40 AM EDT reply actions

Scott Walker's Wife

I know most of you still have a lot of hate for Scott, but maybe keep his wife in your prayers.

During his post game interview he said it had been a rough week for him, and naturally everyone (to include myself) thought he was talking about media and fan scrutiny for his punch on Ward……little did we know that both he and Recchi had secrets

http://blogs.newsobserver.com/canes/home

The wife of Scott Walker was diagnosed with cervical cancer sometime during the Carolina Hurricanes’ playoffs semifinals round with the Boston Bruins, the team announced today.

The team said Julie Walker’s cancer is treatable and that she’s expected to fully recover.

by kcljar on May 16, 2009 2:09 PM EDT reply actions