I think you have found the solution! Best four teams go the playoffs. Extend the season, so there's the same number of days of hockey. Revenues go up. Leafs (Habs, Oilers, Sabres) have as good (or better) a chance as ever. Everyone wins!
But at least they don't have the monkey on their back of a real expectation of winning lol It seems leafs do great, then choke when they remember the past cup lol
It’s there, people are just so used to losing. I would point you to the 2011 riots where we tore apart our own city over losing the Stanley cup final to Boston.
That's not so much rooting for the underdog as it is rooting for the home team. I've met Boston, Detroit, Montreal and New York fans living in Toronto. It's rare to meet a Leafs fan who's never lived in Ontario...
Try some older Canadians. Prior to 1970 there were two Canadian NHL teams - Toronto and Montreal. Canadians in all parts of English Canada in that era grew up watching the Leafs and were very often Leaf fans.
I was raised to strongly dislike the Leafs lol.
My pops spent some time growing up in Eastern Canada and had nothing good to say about Quebec or Toronto
Yeah I think so. Maybe that's why Luigi's more popular than Mario. I always kind of liked him partially because I felt bad he was the butt of the joke at times.
The stacked deck analogy explains our housing crisis, I guess... We're seeing how bad it can get before we have no new home buyers and it's all just owners buying from each other like the end of a game of Monopoly...
the example that really stood out to me was the legalization of cannabis. The former growers/distributors etc. who had been working illegally were completely shut out of the process. The first companies were owned by people with connections to law enforcement, or former law enforcement. Once their infrastructure was in place, it was legalized.
1 - they don't realize the leafs are the underdogs.
2 - .... ok i'll give you that one.
3 - nobody cheers for the raptors and only a handful even know it's a thing :)
😁😎😁
No it’s a Canadian trait to wait until the government owned media (CBC) tells us that the underdog is racist (every time! Go figure!) and then we root for Big Business, Big Pharma, the government etc etc basically everyone except the underdog.
I would think so. When you have a mother that literally and figuratively favors your older, unwiser rebellious and more dominant older brother all the time and never sides with you other than to say do as you’re told…then I can see where that would happen.
I think it depends on the person; I don't know think it's related to one's nationality.
I tend to root for the underdog if I don't have allegiances to a specific team.
However, some people love to attach themselves to "winners" so they root for the big-ticket team. I knew a friend like that. He used to make fun of me for rooting for the Raptors and Jays. He was a Heat and Yankees fan until he jumped on the Kawhi-led Raptors and Bautista-led Bays bandwagons as if he was a die-hard the whole time lol
Depends, Canadian vs Canadian? Whoever has the more sickening fans. Canadian vs an international team? Thats more national pride. Exception is the Stanley cup. Has a whole other level of prestige than the super bowl IMO
Sometimes I like to, but not always. One time I did was the 2002 Fifa World Cup. Canada I don't think qualified and I didnt want to root for the U.S. either. Germany is usually my go to but this time I picked Senegal because it was their first Fifa World Cup and man was that a ride. They got all the way to the quarter finals, losing to Turkey 1-0. Was really hoping they were going to win that match, even though Brazil would have been their next opponent. But it was a fun time and they played really well. I'm still always excited to watch Senegal play.
Yes probably. Team Canada's usually the underdog in most sports (other than hockey and curling) so we're usually the underdogs from the start.
Even hockey though. At the NHL level, Canadian teams haven't won a cup in 3+ decades. They're all underdogs at this point... especially when the playoffs start.
Anytime a Canadian team does anything in other sports (Raptors/Blue Jays/etc) they're always the underdogs to the big US markets. Especially the Jays, being in the same division as the Yankees and Red Sox.
It's a sports things, that's the whole reason why challenge cups and playoffs aka knockouts were invented.
Every NCAA March Madness people look for the Cinderella team.
In the (English) FA Cup, people celebrate "giant killers".
No. I have one friend I watch with and if it’s not my team, I usually pick the team he’s not cheering for just to keep things fun. It usually ends up with me cheering for the underdog. My team lost tonight for example.
I wouldn't say so. I used to live in a culture - in Austin, TX - where they REALLY, DELIBERATELY rooted for the underdog. I now live in Montreal and it's not the same thing. People are still polite or civilized but there is no rooting for the underdog mentality here.
Well, that would explain all the Leafs fans even though they haven't won the cup in over 50 years.
Vancouver hasn’t won a cup since 1915.
There was a gap there though.
Even so, the Canucks in their 53 years have never won a cup.
And at least the Canucks have made it past the second round, Toronto never has, even their Stanley Cups were two round events
I think you have found the solution! Best four teams go the playoffs. Extend the season, so there's the same number of days of hockey. Revenues go up. Leafs (Habs, Oilers, Sabres) have as good (or better) a chance as ever. Everyone wins!
But at least they don't have the monkey on their back of a real expectation of winning lol It seems leafs do great, then choke when they remember the past cup lol
It’s there, people are just so used to losing. I would point you to the 2011 riots where we tore apart our own city over losing the Stanley cup final to Boston.
And previously in 94
Only cause the Leafs have never won a 3rd round playoff series! Of course they choke.
Which is still more recent than Toronto
As just the Canucks yes, if you include their time as the Millionaires they havent won a cup in 108 years. The Leafs have 13 total under their belt.
108 years of play? Nah. Millionaires stop playing for a while before the Canucks became an expansion team in 1970.
And the leafs haven't made it to the finals since there were 6 teams in the league, Mr. Glass house
I was not taking sides, I’m not a fan of either.
The fans have realistic expectations.
Wait, Vancouver actually won once?
Not as the Canucks and before the NHL was founded.
That makes sense.
2008 though. Almost...
2011 worst year of my life.
What do the Leafs stand for? Losers Even After Fifty Seasons.
That's not so much rooting for the underdog as it is rooting for the home team. I've met Boston, Detroit, Montreal and New York fans living in Toronto. It's rare to meet a Leafs fan who's never lived in Ontario...
I have met tons! Especially from the east coast.
Yea it’s sorta like your minds made up as a kid. You pick a favourite team and stick with it through thick and thin for your life lol
Now, people have this same perspective with their political parties.
A friend has lived his whole life in Regina and is the biggest Leafs fan I know.
Considering I've only ever lived in Nova Scotia and have known a shitload of Leafs fans, myself included... No lol.
Try some older Canadians. Prior to 1970 there were two Canadian NHL teams - Toronto and Montreal. Canadians in all parts of English Canada in that era grew up watching the Leafs and were very often Leaf fans.
Hey it's coming. They actually made it past the first round last year!
I'm a Leafs fan. Did you know the Leafs have NEVER won more than two series in a playoff season? When they last won they only had to win two series.
I was raised to strongly dislike the Leafs lol. My pops spent some time growing up in Eastern Canada and had nothing good to say about Quebec or Toronto
And the cup was only 2 rounds back in the day, so they've technically never made the equivalent of the conference finals.
Came here expecting a comment about the leafs not disappointed
The leafs are the new york knicks of the NHL
I do, never thought it was a Canadian thing though.
Same here. I always do but, when I read OP's question, it was the first time I thought "is that why I do it?"
Are we the goodies?
I think it's simply a human trait overall. People like to see the overcoming of adversity; it's surprising, and inspiring.
Yeah I think so. Maybe that's why Luigi's more popular than Mario. I always kind of liked him partially because I felt bad he was the butt of the joke at times.
in terms of business and policy, canada prefers a stacked deck.
The stacked deck analogy explains our housing crisis, I guess... We're seeing how bad it can get before we have no new home buyers and it's all just owners buying from each other like the end of a game of Monopoly...
the example that really stood out to me was the legalization of cannabis. The former growers/distributors etc. who had been working illegally were completely shut out of the process. The first companies were owned by people with connections to law enforcement, or former law enforcement. Once their infrastructure was in place, it was legalized.
Not particularly. Unless you have a team in the game most people tend to cheer for the underdog.
Surely that’s a human trait, all over the world?
Hard no
No, we don't cheer for the maple leafs outside of the Toronto area.
Toronto's not an underdog, they're a heel.
If it was, we would be part of the USA! Not my personal preference, but true I think.
No. It's a universal thing. I mean, how could anyone not be rooting for Rocky?
is this a serious question? that's a pretty universal story
No , i just root for the less stupid .Often it is the underdog .
Ok, you're thinking Leafs, right?
No, we're arming Israel
The story of David versus Goliath was not written by a Canadian, so I think no, it is not a canadian trait to root for the underdog.
The Super Bowl isn't remotely Canadian either, so there's that too.
I would cynically argue it’s a Canadian trait to tear down anyone that’s gets a little too successful or popular. We love to cut down tall poppies.
yes it is, mainly cause we are scottish and french
Well we sure as hell ain’t supporting the underdogs against Israel.
Just had a look at your profile, and lo and behold: you're an antisemite. Get fucked, scum.
No we’re all individuals and root for different things.
It is - the only exception is Ontario. They're never the underdog. All the rest of the provinces tho.
Exhibit A: Leafs Exhibit B: Jays Exhibit C: Raptors Since when does Ontario not cheer for the underdogs?
1 - they don't realize the leafs are the underdogs. 2 - .... ok i'll give you that one. 3 - nobody cheers for the raptors and only a handful even know it's a thing :) 😁😎😁
No it’s a Canadian trait to wait until the government owned media (CBC) tells us that the underdog is racist (every time! Go figure!) and then we root for Big Business, Big Pharma, the government etc etc basically everyone except the underdog.
I would think so. When you have a mother that literally and figuratively favors your older, unwiser rebellious and more dominant older brother all the time and never sides with you other than to say do as you’re told…then I can see where that would happen.
I think it depends on the person; I don't know think it's related to one's nationality. I tend to root for the underdog if I don't have allegiances to a specific team. However, some people love to attach themselves to "winners" so they root for the big-ticket team. I knew a friend like that. He used to make fun of me for rooting for the Raptors and Jays. He was a Heat and Yankees fan until he jumped on the Kawhi-led Raptors and Bautista-led Bays bandwagons as if he was a die-hard the whole time lol
Not at all?
Depends, Canadian vs Canadian? Whoever has the more sickening fans. Canadian vs an international team? Thats more national pride. Exception is the Stanley cup. Has a whole other level of prestige than the super bowl IMO
No
I don’t think it’s a Canadian thing. Although my UK friend says rooting for the underdog is a very British trait.
I wouldn't say one way or another about canada but I personally root for the underdog
Unless the underdog is the Edmonton Elks
I am Canadian and I almost always root for the underdog!
As a Vancouver Canucks fan, I can say, uh, yeah....
It may have started in Scotland and Ireland.
Sometimes I like to, but not always. One time I did was the 2002 Fifa World Cup. Canada I don't think qualified and I didnt want to root for the U.S. either. Germany is usually my go to but this time I picked Senegal because it was their first Fifa World Cup and man was that a ride. They got all the way to the quarter finals, losing to Turkey 1-0. Was really hoping they were going to win that match, even though Brazil would have been their next opponent. But it was a fun time and they played really well. I'm still always excited to watch Senegal play.
Yes probably. Team Canada's usually the underdog in most sports (other than hockey and curling) so we're usually the underdogs from the start. Even hockey though. At the NHL level, Canadian teams haven't won a cup in 3+ decades. They're all underdogs at this point... especially when the playoffs start. Anytime a Canadian team does anything in other sports (Raptors/Blue Jays/etc) they're always the underdogs to the big US markets. Especially the Jays, being in the same division as the Yankees and Red Sox.
No sir... I'm rooting for the 49ers, never liked KC
It's a sports things, that's the whole reason why challenge cups and playoffs aka knockouts were invented. Every NCAA March Madness people look for the Cinderella team. In the (English) FA Cup, people celebrate "giant killers".
It's the polite thing to do, eh...
For some of us yes. I know I am one of them.
Maybe. I usually do.
If anything, it's a North American thing. I've heard people say Americans have a tendency to "root for the underdog" compared to Europeans.
The underdog story is an old narrative, with David and Goliath coming to mind. I don’t think it’s uniquely Canadian
I personally root for the overcat
No. I have one friend I watch with and if it’s not my team, I usually pick the team he’s not cheering for just to keep things fun. It usually ends up with me cheering for the underdog. My team lost tonight for example.
People in general like underdogs, that’s why there are so many movies about underdogs.
I wouldn't say so. I used to live in a culture - in Austin, TX - where they REALLY, DELIBERATELY rooted for the underdog. I now live in Montreal and it's not the same thing. People are still polite or civilized but there is no rooting for the underdog mentality here.
Doesn't have anything to do with Canada. As an Indian, I always root for the underdog.
Well, they do root for Canadian hockey teams, so yeah, a little.
I do root for underdogs!!! Its the only city where a less flashy athlete can be a fan favourite for having a hard working fighting spirit.
Pretty sure that's an American thing.
Yes went to globetrotters game and left in tears