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This is a plea to all of them and an attempt to see if we can make a difference.
In game 1 in Montreal I didn't really hear the booing of the American Anthem, but I did hear a lot of talking through it. In Game 2 I did...Both REALLY bothered me as an American, but even more so as a hockey fan.
I truly hope that there aren't some idiots who take the eye for an eye mentality in Philly tonight.
But I fear there will be, so I implore those of you heading down...If you are near someone who begins to boo the anthem tonight: shut them up.
Hockey is NOT about politics. It is our escape from such things. There are real problems in this world of ours. Real issues that I have with both of our Governments. I am very active politically and express those views elsewhere. I encourage all to do the same. Make a difference with your government...
But NOT HERE.
This is just hockey. And as far as I'm concerned there are no borders in North America in Hockey. We are all Hockeyans. It is our religion and where you live, your status, or the colour of your skin has no bearing on it whatsoever. If you love hockey you are my brother or sister.
In America especially, since hockey has NEVER really been mainstream, we Hockeyans have been FORCED to stick together. We are connected by a bond stronger than politics and lobbyists. Hockey is the biggest cult sport in American history. And if you love it you are all in...
American Hockeyans take a deeper offense to the Anthem being boo'd because let's face it..We grew up rooting for our players in Canada Cups wearing that big Maple Leaf...still my favorite jersey of all time. I sat and cheered for Bobby Clarke and other Flyers against the Russians time and time again.
I still get chills thinking of 'Oh Canada' being sung be it during the Redez-vous series or by 18,000 in Edmonton during Game six of the 05-06 Finals. I had to travel 15 straight hours to get from Carolina to Edmonton, and standing next to the great Ron Rimer in the press box I fought back tears of emotion listening to the passion of those middle-of-nowhere fans in that middle-of-nowhere city sing "God keep our land GLORIOUS and FREE!"
It still gives me chills to even write it...and I grew up in an American military family...
My dad joined the US Air Force in 1966 because he knew he was going to be drafted into Vietnam and wanted to control his fate. I was born at Dover AFB in Dover, Delaware in 1968. That was the base where most of the films you see where thousands upon thousands of bodies with flags draped over them were taken. Dover is where they flew the dead back from the Vietnam War... and I was BORN there.
My dad retired a LT. Colonel after serving in Maine during Gulf War 1. My dad saw some rough stuff in Vietnam, but has never shared a single war story with me. My dad was also a soloist who sang classical solos in various choirs and always said his favorite Anthem was, "Oh Canada."
As I said, despite my miltary background, I admit it is easy to be critical of America and I can understand Canadians wanting to be NON-American. I once asked a Canadian friend of mine how Canadians define themselves and he said, "By how we are NOT American." He laughed, but then said it was 100% accurate.
And that is the same way a younger brother would describe himself when ask how he defines himself next to his older brother...He doesn't want to be him, but if a bully was threatening him he sure knows that his older brother would be there..
Our two countries are brothers and joined at the hip...literally. Always have been. It is easy to see when your older brother screws up and easy to be critical, but he also paves the way for you. Your folks are a whole lot easier on you! Sure, your brother may protect you because he HAS to, but regardless of the reasons, I have several Canadian friends who will admit that is a comfort to have a big brother down here.
And brothers need to work together to bring about change.
It is up to all of us individually to stop this booing.
It may require you to take a stand in public, which is tough to do. There have been psychological studies that show people in crowds are far less likely to stand up to stop an injustice than a single person walking by. If you break down on a rural road one of three cars will stop and help you. On a highway, hundreds will pass, figuring someone else will do it.
Someone else won't do it.
So You Do it. People around you are thinking they should as well and will back you. Be pro-active and stop this booing.
Thanks for reading this...
Now off my soapbox and onto the game...
Heading down to the Wachovia for the big tilt tonight...
It was kind of surprising in many ways that the first two games lacked the physical edge that I expected from these two teams. That peace between countries all ended following Umberger's third period goal and now the verbal threats are flying as well.
These two teams were amazingly passive through most of the first two games, but I know from talking to players that it all ends tonight. The Habs are known for their speed, but highly underestimated for their hitting ability. They maybe smaller upfront, but they do pack a punch. The Habs are a team much more in the mold of the Sabres of the past few years. Great balance and transitional game. Highly underrated defense.
However, it is one thing to hit in the Northeast Division, it is another to hit in the Atlantic.
The Flyers are much bigger and more intimidating and I am quite certain would welcome the Habs extending their energy to run around and hit the Flyers. The Flyers have returned to their roots this year. They punish teams and make certain that IF you are going to win you know ahead of time you are going to pay. This has been the biggest reason for the strong re-connect Philly has with this team.
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