Why I Can't Come Over

May 13, 2010 @ 12:31

Over the past couple of days I've been very disturbed by some of my close friends who've jumped to the other side. They want the Habs to win.

They attempt to qualify it by claiming they still don't like traditional Habs fans, and that they still love their Leafs, but they're so impressed with the Habs mind numbing run in these playoffs, that they just can't help but jump on the bandwagon.

Sorry. I can't do it.

The anti-Hab in me is so ingrained, so established, so strong, short of a family member being drafted by the Habs (shudder) I could never "come over."

When I was a little fella growing up in Scarborough nothing Hab was allowed in our home. No sweaters, no toques, no scarves. Not even a mug or a coaster.

When we played road hockey you were never the Canadiens. Instead you pretended the other team was the Habs so you'd have more incentive.

Just after I got a dog in the mid-60's a relative bought my beloved Barney a dog sweater of all the ridiculous goddamn things, and if that wasn't bad enough, it was a Hab sweater.

We used it to pick up Barney's poop.

When I became a hockey coach in the mid-70's one of the teams in the league was called the Agincourt Canadians. Even though they spelled it with an "a" I still looked forward to playing them more than any other team. Just because of their name.

The same old bullshit keeps coming back to me through this blog. "Come on Freddie, you have to be impressed with what the Habs are doing."

Yes, impressed with the perfect storm of good fortune this team is experiencing, but I don't have to like it. I hate it. I don't want it to happen and I wish it would end. I'm sorry but it comes from my roots, it comes from five decades of despising not only the Montreal Canadiens as a team, but despising their fans even more.

A good example. Both Freeway Frank and Paul Romanuk, two dear broadcasting buddies on mine have questioned my credibility as a hockey prognosticator because I predicted the Habs would finish behind the Leafs this year and not make the playoffs.

How did I know Brian Burke would blow the Leafs up when they were still within reasonable striking distance? And let's not forget the Habs slithered into the playoffs on the last day of the season after losing to the Leafs the night before.

Anyway, Romy wrote sarcastically last night, "have you got any stock tips?"

Yea, like he predicted the Habs were going to do what they're doing right now.

Frank wrote "Fred has NO hockey credibility"

I remember that after game three of the Washington series, Frank totally gave up on the Habs, predicting their imminent demise.

The point is folks, I ain't budging. I don't like the Habs and if it was up to me they wouldn't win another game. I'm sticking with my convictions, unlike some other softies I know who've wimped out.

I talked to another good friend this morning, Jeff Lumby, the ultimate Hab fan. He called to rub it in, and at the same time admitted point blank that if the roles were reversed there's no way he'd pull for the Leafs.

He didn't in '93, '94, '99 or 2002 when the Leafs went to the conference finals. (By the way, this will be the Habs first conference final since '93)

I'm sure Freeway and Romanuk didn't jump on the Leaf ship back then either.

I look at it this way. Would a Yankee fan all of a sudden become "impressed" with Bo-sox and start cheering for them? Would a Browns fan do it for the Steelers or a Celtics fan for the Lakers?

Do you think a Ti-cat fan is ever impressed with the Argos enough to "come over?"

I think you know what the answer is.

At the end of the day, I realize this is only sports, and on the scale of what really matters this doesn't matter at all.

But on the scale of true blue Maple Leaf, and the way I was raised and the convictions I have and the abuse I've taken from Hab fans over the decades, it means a hell of a lot.

Enough that I will not follow in the footsteps of some of my disappointing friends who now want this team to do well. You can be impressed, you can admire from a distance, but to cheer for the Habs is something that is simply not in my genes.

You ought to be ashamed.

Category: Sports

39 Responses to "Why I Can't Come Over"

Curtis
May 13, 2010 / 13:37

Atta boy Freddie!!!!! Fuck les Habs!!!!

Romy
May 13, 2010 / 13:38

In my defence... (if I may)

I honestly...HONESTLY, couldn't care less who wins the Cup or how well the Habs do or how shit the Leafs are. Really. I love the game and the only time I really care who wins or loses is when it's international hockey and Canada is playing. Maybe it's because I've "worked" covering more games than I could count or maybe it's because I'm not 12 years old anymore. I don't know, but I do know that it really doesn't matter to me. The reason I've enjoyed taking the odd shot at my pal Freddie is because he's been so wrong, so often, on this issue that it's truly risible and just too tough to resist. It has nothing to do with who I'm cheering for because I ain't cheering for anyone - I'll leave that for folks like Freddie.

Over and out.

James Edgar
May 13, 2010 / 13:41

Fred I'm a leaf Fan. But not even close to your level. No dog poop was ever picked up by a habs sweater in my home. I have to say though that while finding more than a few of your outpourings of angst over this Habs playoff run a litle over the top this is a well thought out and well reasoned plea for us bandwagonjumpers to reconsider.
Not saying I will But I'll think about it :)

Luc
May 13, 2010 / 14:05

Support CANADA you dumbass....

Freeway
May 13, 2010 / 14:10

First off, I agree with one thing. A true Leafs/Habs fan cannot cheer for the other team. However, I do respect those who know a good thing when they see it.

Second, I never gave up on the Habs. I said, whoever wins game 3 in the Wash series goes on. Could I or any sensible hockey fan have predicted this? No way. Did I believe they could do it? Yes way. I've watched this team all year long. I'm not a fly by night fan. I watch every game. It's pvr'd and every news magazine on the Habs. I know this team inside out. I also know hockey.

I would never cheer for the Leafs had they made it to this point.

But just out of respect, I would never put a piece of shit on the Leafs logo. A lot of my closest friends are Leafs fans but none of them are pieces of shit. They are some of the best people I know.

Bottom line, you can mention the riots (a few dumb idiots). You can mention booing players and anthems. But all of it is just a distraction for the truth you can't accept and will never accept.

Montreal is in the final 4. Montreal has a chance to win the Stanley Cup and if and when they do, I will never have anything to say to a Leafs' fan. You can never talk.

This is the last time I say it. You're a cheap excuse for an organization. Albeit, once again eventhough I personally would never put a piece of shit on the Leafs logo, funny enough, that's all the Leafs have given their fans for 43 years.

Frank

Gene
May 13, 2010 / 14:12

@Frank
It's not real shit, just photo shop.

buster69
May 13, 2010 / 14:27

Freddie , I think you hit a nerve
I like you can't and won't cheers for the hab's
If anything it shows the weakness of the teams in the east when a team gets out shot out worked and still wins Go Sharks go

Freeway
May 13, 2010 / 14:34

Montreal outplayed Pitts in the last two games. Obviously Buster you're watching too many CFL preseason games.

Man, I can't believe how pathetic you Leafs fans are. It's truly hilarious.

rickthewriter
May 13, 2010 / 14:40

Remember pup, before you start to whine
That side's yours and this side's mine
So shove it on over (move it on over)
Sweep it on over (move it on over)
Move over cold dog cause a hot dog's moving in

Steve
May 13, 2010 / 14:57

As a long-suffering fan who was raised to be a Leafs supporter, I can sympathize with your feelings, Fred. But don't worry, MLSE will finally put the fans first, and will ice a winner eventually. I have no doubt your grandchildren will visit your graveside to tell you all about it.

jess
May 13, 2010 / 15:09

seriously...it's a game
it supposed to be a PASTIME
with all the real "shit" going on in the world anyone who spends this much energy on hating or loving a team needs to give their frigging heads a shake.
have a beer and cheer for a great game with your buddies
that or get a girlfriend so you have less time to think about ridiculous bullshit

4 x 4 Time
May 13, 2010 / 15:22

Hey, you have to admit Habs fans are creative...Check it out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tru2P7i46o8&feature=youtu.be

Gene
May 13, 2010 / 15:42

@jess
Take your own advice and relax.

Glenn Pelletier
May 13, 2010 / 16:53

@Fred. A true Leafs fan could never cheer for the Habs, and I could never cheer for the Leafs. After that, each side has the choice to be honest with themselves about the performance of their respective favourite teams. You have lost a lot of credibility be refusing to objectively analyze the performance of the Habs in these playoffs and acknowledging their success. You can still hate the Habs while commending them for their achievement. If the Leafs play well, I can concede as much, all the while despising them with all my heart. Regardless of yours or anyone else's "spin" or denial, the historical record is what it is, and history is being made right now. You can't change the facts, and you can't stop that special place deep inside all of us that responds to truth. LEAFS SUCK!!!!!!! GO HABS GO!!!!

Pete
May 13, 2010 / 16:55

Stick to your guns Freddie. No watching hockey at the lake is better than havin to put up with the Habs fans.

Ed
May 13, 2010 / 18:14

To put a slight twist on a Sloan lyric:

It's not the team I hate, it's their fans.

I just don't like separatists or the hooligans that come out after a Habs game and destroy the city regardless of the game outcome.

Now, not every fan is a separatist but I'll bet every separatist is a fan.

I also think that booing another country's national anthem is pretty poor.

The dog shit thing with the sweater was a little over the top I thought.

MississaugaBlogger.com
May 13, 2010 / 18:38

Can`t we all just get along.
- Rodney King

I though we were all having a little fun. No way Fred will come over to Canada`s tean it`s not in his blood.

As for Fred`s clairvoyance when it comes to hockey I never thought the Habs would get past Washington.

Sure you can hope but the Habs limped into the playoffs of course I`m happy they`re winning. And if the Leafs got this far and the Habs were out I`d back the Leafs so Toronto hockey fans would have something to celebrate. I guess in Fred`s eyes I`m not a true fan.

Fred is the first blog I regularly visited, I don`t agree with some of his views but his writing is entertaining.

Go Habs Go

Boomer
May 13, 2010 / 20:36

Oh, so it's all Barney's fault!

Go Habs Go!

Jon from (near) Buffalo
May 14, 2010 / 08:10

Freddie, keep the faith. Again, if I may use the PATRIOTS as a substitute, no matter how good they were, are or ever will be, they are the team of the Devil and must be stopped. No matter what. (Of course they cheated anyway, so wait to see what comes out about the Habs)
If you hate the Habs, then HATE THE HABS and don't you EVER feel bad about that!

Jason Barr
May 14, 2010 / 09:24

I hope the city of Montreal burns down. One more win and it just might!!!!!

buster69
May 14, 2010 / 09:47

I think we should start a face book page asking the Montreal city councilors to not allow the Bell center to be open when the games is not being played eliminate the crowd eliminate the problem

Ivo True Blue
May 14, 2010 / 10:10

@ Frank

I would wipe shit with it, my nose and any other vulgar thing I can think of with a Habs logo/sweater.

Keep up the faith Fred

Jason Barr
May 14, 2010 / 10:27

Whenever I see a Habs jersey I can't help but think of pedophile clowns. It creeps me out.

Freeway
May 14, 2010 / 15:40

No class.

MississuagaBlogger.com
May 16, 2010 / 21:16

Leaf fans are like school in the summer.

See Freeway's above post.

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