Fan Rivalries, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Ahh, the Buffalo vs. Carolina games: The only games of the season where the police presence is increased by 500%.

Sadly, that is probably an underestimation.

Having lived in Buffalo, the people there are EXTREMELY touchy about the perception of their city as a whole, not just their sports teams. The economy has been depressed for years, the population is shrinking, etc. all since the steel mills closed down. The people of Buffalo are extremely proud and extremely supportive of anything that has to do with their city, and that includes sports. There are no “Sabres fans” or “Bisons fans” or “Bills fans” in Buffalo, just Buffalo fans. It is a proud city that just can’t seem to win, despite their best efforts. They were shot down by MLB quite a few times. There’s “NO GOAL.” There’s 4 straight Superbowl losses. They are constantly called “Cleveland w/out the glitz.” They also suffer the same state taxes that are imposed on them by that other big city in NY – always the ugly little sister. They have a big chip on their shoulder because of all this. Buffalo is the city that snatches defeat from the jaws of victory EVERY SINGLE TIME it appears they are finally going to win. I wish they were more civil, but I understand their frustrations.

I wouldnt consider any rivalry good if the opposing fans get together and sing kumbaya. In this day and age, the best rivalaries are born out of hate between fanbases.

I was thinking of saying something about the ’06 SCF in my comment to the entry below, but I think the message I sent was loud and clear having read this one. Very good work here by Bubba.

The Oilers-Canes finals was a good measure of how traditional and new hockey markets came to meet eachother and it made for one helluva series.

Well, I can’t say as I have the same warm-fuzzy feelings for the Oilers fans. I only had the pleasure of meeting 1 group of them. They almost got to take a souvenir black eye back to the great white north with them. I like great rivalries where both sets of fans can have a healthy, good natured hatred. When certain fans like to snatch peoples red Mike Commadore wigs off other fans heads, thats where I draw the line!!!

I am also among those who feel Oiler fans are not the most friendly and good-spirited. Now granted, I was among the few Hurricanes fans who went to Rexall Place during that Finals series, but my family and I were treated so poorly that (since we had tickets for Game 4 as well as 3), we went in plain-clothes. Now I don’t want a response saying that we were not true fans. We stood and cheered for the Hurricanes when they scored and even met some of the Hurricanes’ family members. But we felt that threatened during Game 3. During several occasions during that game when I went to get some food or go to the bathroom, I was pushed, shoved, and told by some of the nicer fans that I was going to get myself killed wearing my Hurricanes sweater. I kindly ignored the nice ones’ warnings and kept supporting. Of course, Smyth wins the game for the Oil and their fans go crazy. On our way out of the arena, Oilers fans got in our faces and pushed and shoved, etc. us all the way and even a great distance outside. Trying to flag a taxi was nearly impossible as none of them seemed to want to transport Hurricanes fans and the police on Whyte Avenue ignored what was happening to us. So…take this as you want to. I understand it was their playoff run.

Yes, the games vs the Sabres can be brutal at the RBC. Their fans prowl the concourse in a pre-game buzz confronting and intimidating Canes fans, even families w/kids. Then we get to our seats to find the rows in front of and behind us full of agitated Buffaloneans who can’t even stop their chanting to show respect for the national anthem. We always leave before the end of the game to get out of the parking lot ahead of the crowd, and don’t even get me started on the restroom situation. Please this year I would love to see all loyal Caniacs bring a friend or two, to fill the RBC and not leave any seats available for the visiting Sabres fans. Or, we could intersperse seats with security guards.

People in Buffalo are just …. a little on the crazy side. You cannot reason with a crazy person. I am from upstate NY… the real upstate. Whenever I am in Buffalo, it just seems like restrained agression. ??? No place to visit or live.

A good rivalry….. Toronto. Bad New Jersey. Ugly….Philadelphia. Hey this site is so much better than the “official site” I am very proud of ya…..

Ahh! So it comes to this…we start off firing back to the Canadien Media for being arrogant and now let’s blast out at the remains of the “visitors” to the RBC Center.
While this is the wrong thread forgive my mixing of the two topics-All of Canada needs to get over the fact that the NHL has always wanted to test other markets for better profitability ie. the Quebec Nordiques, Winnipeg Jets, Hartford Whalers and so on. Note those weren’t Southern markets before they were shuffled off as all were struggling prior to moving. No matter, as the sport has mainly flourished in the permanent markets (original six). Duh, it’s the history of the game-a great game. One which there aren’t others like with a similar history. So to Canada. I’ve had so many incredible Canadien experiences visiting, attending games, and going to the beer stores :)….the premier sport for your country is hockey you should be proud that people so far away in North Carolina realize that too. Canadiens being arrogant and condescending is a contradiction in terms (based on my experiences) the neighbors up north are good people… save the few haters that want to keep the best of things to themselves as opposed to sharing them.
Rivalries from fare weather Caniacs or true loyalty? Like so many of my NHL colleagues here in the old North State I didn’t grow up here and I know hockey. I saw my first game in old Olympia Stadium on Gratiot Avenue in Detroit…for you French Canadiens it’s pronounced “Day-twa”. My first version of a production line was Lindsey, Howe, and Abel. There are so many relocated hockey fans here in NC that like all there aren’t as many native North Carolinians here as ten years prior. So every now and again the RBC Center gets ran by mobs from the Sabre nation, Oil Country, Devils, Caps fans… I could go on and on. Thats the reality folks. We live in a melting pot of damn yankees so we see the waning loyalty when the old home teams come to town. I only have one thing to ask for my fellow transplants.
Are you home??
I can only speak for myself, I own a Canes jersey. Haven’t had a Wings sweater since 1997.

I always thought that “Buffalo Fan” cheers against your team first and for their team second. I would guess the have more experience cheering against what other teams do to them, and not what their team accomplishes. Edmonton Fan was classy, well behaved, knowledgeable, and honest in their assessment of the Oil. Edmonton Fans always cheered for their team, not against the Canes(or their team for that matter). I remember appreciating the victory in game 7 all the more, not cause we got to shut up some sun-deprived, drunk, neanderthals (like in the Eastern Conf. finals). But, because the Oiler fans truly recognized that the Canes had played a better game that night.

As I said, there are good and bad in every group. We will each identify or remember best from our own personal experiences. Thanks for sharing.

Derrick, your situation sounds scary. I remember reading about some Oilers fans nearly rioting on Whyte Avenue and several arrests being made after their first playoff series.

I have to agree that Buffalo fans are the worst I’ve experienced.
I agree that rivalries can be great-the Buffalo game I was at last season felt like a playoff game, but it got nasty and I even saw a group of sabres fans escorted out to avoid a fight in the seats.
I’m from upstate NY, too. My brother went to school just south of buffalo, and he couldn’t stand it. Everyone was rabid fans of everything buffalo, from hockey to football and even the Goo Goo Dolls. He could do anything without having it shoved in his face. Once, he was in a bar watching a Dallas Cowboys game and didn’t DARE wear anything Dallas for fear of getting beat up. And Buffalo wasn’t even playing.

Apparently nobody has been to a Philadelphia football game. ’ems the worst and proud of it.

“Day-twa” Heh, heh, I love that!!

Anyone else wish Center Ice would translate the feed out of Monteal?

Bubba, your last line in the article is what Bettman et al are trying to do. The money looks to be coming along better than expected. Took 3 yrs to attain same numbers. I think hockey could get incorporated in Europe. While our Northern brothers doi a good job milling out players, Europe has a pile, too. Maybe a league to rival soccer (football?) on the world stage? Rivalry between say Detroit and Moscow, Montreal and Finland, etc. That last contract/deal about contracts of NHL players and other leagues felt like a step in that direction.

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1) Have to agree about Buffalo fans in some regard, but also have to give them oodles of credit for the immense support they give their team.
2) Ditto to the fans of the two PA teams; Pens and Flyers as well as ranger fans. As for rivalries; yes playing in the post season is the best way to create one, but we feel proximity is the best way to ‘create’ a rivalry. Which is why the SE division is at a disadvantage. So many of the teams outside of Florida are geographically far apart (unlike the Atlantic where most teams are within a short drive).

the only thing buffalo has going for them is their wings. haha. they have the falls too but thats not really buffalo is it. besides im not even talking sports teams. i look forward to going to a buffalo game this year and getting into it with the buffalo fans. i think it might be beyond rivalry now. since the fans are so disrespectful.

One rivalry that I grew up with that seems to have fizzled out is the Rangers / Islanders. There was real hate there for a while – everything from Rangers fans rocking the ambulance that a concussed LaFontaine was in and not letting it get to a hospital, to Rangers fans urinating out of the “Rowdy Reds” section onto visiting Islanders fans in the lower level at the Garden. There were great brawlers on both teams, and there were often massive brawls in every game (Nicky Fotiu Rules!) In 7th grade on Long Island, I got jumped and had my Rangers Jersey forcibly ripped off of my back. There are too many incidents to list – but one of my favorites was when one group of fans went to the others’ Family Christmas Day skate and pounded Santa Claus. Started a huge brawl – and it wasn’t even a game! (I forgot whose fans – NYR or NYI – started that one).
There used to be a huge Hartford / NJ rivalry becuase of a series of brawls – in particular, “Boxcar” Ed Hospadar broke someone’s leg on NJ during a bench – clearer, and every game after that was a fight fest. The Quebec / Montreal rivalry was also a good one, especially where Dale Hunter was involved.
These older rivalries seemed to be more intense due to; 1) Geography
        2) Goonery (players & fans)
        3) Playoff games
Because of the expanded NHL and the lack of goons in the NHL now compared to 20 years ago, the rivalries have diminished in intensity and frequency. Boorish fans alone don’t make for a rivalry – at least like the ones I used to know in the NHL.

I’m not gonna lie, I pull for the Sabers when they are not playing the ’Canes. Call me what you will…

Over the past 4years (minus a lot of last year) they have had some of the best offensive hockey in the league. Brier and Drury were amazing players for them. Miller is on of the top 5 NHL goalies. When Max comes to play he can pull some amazing moves. It also helps that 3 of my best friends are all from Buffalo. One of these friends was at game 2 or 3 of the ECF a few years back, and said he will NEVER go to a Carolina/Buffalo game again, because BOTH sides fans were so bad. I am sure the Buffalo fans were the instigators, but we took the bait… and can be just as bad as them at times.

Bubba,
You just had to throw in the Detroit Fans comment!

Sean, where have you been hibernating all summer? Too much partying with the Cup?

Of course my Red Wings fan remark had nothing to do with you personally……

I have to agree, as mini plan holders My daughter and I had the misfortune to ask our local church to get together a group for their first Hockey experience. We made the sad mistake of picking the Buffalo game! What a mistake.. We had 28 dedicated Christian Kids and Adults surrounded by screaming, drunk, cussing Buffalo Fans. We will never make that mistake again… My daughter and I are two of the most rabid Caniacs out there, but we respect the family atmosphere and fun that should always happen when the Canes take the ice. Wish others would do the same.

Boorish fans are boorish fans no matter where they are. Now that I am older and have a family, I do prefer the family friendly atmosphere. I reiterate that boorish fans do not make a rivalry. I have yet to see any real hate between players, or any real dislike between teams for an extended time since Detroit / Colorado after the Draper face rearranging.

I’ve never had a bad experience as an Oiler fan in any arena I’ve been in (which are numerous). Then again, I’m a decent sized mammal so I guess that doesn’t hurt. The worst reception I’ve ever received was a bit of heckling from some fans, no big deal at all. I’d have to say Columbus fans are the most polite opposing fans that I’ve run into thus far, they’re very courteous and since I’m an Ohioan they were always eager to find out how I became such a diehard Edmonton guy while living in the US.

I’ve never faced anything near fisticuffs or physical altercation. I must say, however, that I’ll be going to Philadelphia to see the Oilers this season in Novemeber. I know Philly fans can be nuts so we’ll see what happens, I predict it’ll be just fine though.