Not so fast.
As the Cup Final progresses, we're beginning to hear more and more stories about how the Canucks (and their fans) are widely disrespected in not only Canada, but the rest of the hockey world.
Players around the league are starting to speak out about their disdain for the Canucks, throwing around words and phrases like "hate" and "pretty painful" to watch them in the Cup Final.
To many, the Canucks haven't helped themselves in the Final against the Bruins, as some questionable tactics have been pointed to as further proof of what kind of team the Canucks are. First, there was Alexandre Burrows biting Patrice Bergeron. Then, there was Maxim Lapierre's taunting of Bergeron. After that, it was Aaron Rome's hit on Nathan Horton, a hit that the Canucks later defended while lauding the league's decision to suspend Rome for the rest of the series. And now, Vancouver is placing all of the blame on the Bruins for the increased level of chippy play in the series.
In short, there are more than a few things to dislike about the Canucks.
However, in the past years, Boston and its fans have developed a reputation across the sports world as a spoiled fan base. Obviously a lot of that comes from the fact that Boston has won more than its share of championships within the last 10 years, and because of that, resentment toward the Hub grows.
And as the Bruins inch closer to hoisting the Cup for the first time in 39 years, the resurgent fan base has become more and more boisterous. That's not always a way to endear yourself to the rest of the sports world, but in this case, it may just well beat the alternative.
Is the hockey world rooting for the Bruins in the Stanley Cup Final? Share your thoughts below.
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Tuesday, June 7: Who should take Nathan Horton's spot on the first line alongside David Krejci and Milan Lucic?
