Quote:
Originally Posted by
Scott Merryfield 
Scott,
I became a Plymouth Whalers (and OHL) fan mostly because the team built it's new arena 5 minutes from our home around the same time we moved into the neighborhood 17 years ago. My wife and I went a few times, and she became hooked on hockey, too, so it's something we can do together. We've been going regularly for many years now. I never really followed the Hartford Whalers, other than via their old Adams Division playoff rivalries with the Montreal Canadiens, who are my favorite NHL team (as you know).
I became a Habs fan from growing up watching Hockey Night in Canada on CBC as a kid (starting around 1970). I had a TV in my room (my grandfather repaired TV's as a hobby, so I got it for free), but it only got VHF (channels 2-13), so I could watch HNiC on Channel 9, but not the Red Wings on UHF -- plus, the Wings were horrible with lousy ownership then. I became enamored with the Habs style of play and all those exotic French-Canadian names as a youngster, and they were the first team I ever rooted for to win a championship (in 1971). I was completely hooked after they won another Cup in '73. The rest of my family are diehard Wings fans.
My mother and her family were from western Pennsylvania, so I grew up rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers before they ever won anything. I am a Lions fan, too (unfortunately). I was a dedicated Tigers fan when I followed baseball, but I stopped following the sport after the strike/lockout in '94 and never went back. As for the NBA, I'm more of a "fair weather" Pistons fan, and only pay attention when they are decent, but I've pretty much lost interest in the NBA over the past few years, too.
Scott,
That's great that your wife took to hockey after attending a few games. I (and eventually my wife and I) attended Bruins and Celtics games back at the old Boston Garden. My earliest memory of attending Bruins and Celtics games was about 1974-ish, when I was sixteen. On one such occasion during halftime of a Celtics game (they were playing the Pistol Pete-led New Orleans Jazz), I got to meet Johnny Most (the voice of the Celtics for decades). On another occasion, I got to meet M. L. Carr before tip-off. Those are some of my fondest sports memories.
I'm sure you're aware that when the Bruins won the Stanley Cup in 1970 and 1972, they did not have to go through Montreal. Last year was special for me, because I think it was the first time (at least in my lifetime, if not ever) that Boston defeated Montreal en route to a Cup, but I'm not certain. You'd know that for sure, I would think.
It looks like we both became hooked on hockey at about the same time. After the Bruins won the Cup in 1970, every kid in my neighborhood owned hockey skates and hockey equipment. And in the summer, we took to the streets and played street hockey for hours. I can recall those times when we'd be in the middle of playing, and a car would come down the road, meaning we had to stop play. Ugh. Good memories, though.
Speaking of Pennsylvania, it looks like the battle for that state will begin in earnest now that we know that the Flyers and Penguins will be playing each other in the first round of the NHL playoffs. That should be quite exciting. I don't give the Flyers much of a chance in that series, as I would say that the Penguins are playing the best hockey of just about any team right now. As for a few of the other series, I think Nashville could upset Detroit in the first round, especially since the Red Wings are mediocre on the road. I am also thinking that this could be the year that Phoenix gets out of the first round. Maybe. The Bruins could have their hands full with the Capitals, but I think Boston will advance to the second round.
Go Bruins!
They have too many teams to pass in order to make the playoffs.
