5 Teams I Love To Hate.

I would bet that everyone has a list like this.  For one reason or another there’s always a few teams that just grind at you.  Make the hair on the back of your neck stand up, and just all around piss you off.  I know that hate is a really strong word, and Mrs. Rekas tried to tell me as a young boy to not use such a word. But this is hockey.  Passion.  Determination.  Competition.  There’s no way I can say that my first choice is a team that I don’t care for.  Sorry mom, I hate them!  Here’s my list:

1) Pittsburgh Penguins:  I didn’t always hate the Pens, but since June 8 1992 I do. I literally cannot stand them and everything that they represent.  They swept my beloved Chicago Blackhawks 4-0 in the Stanley Cup Finals.  I was at the old Chicago Stadium for the final two games, and watched as Mario and Jagr carried the Cup around.  Utterly disgusted with that, the hatred has only become worse.  Crosbitch and his whining, Matt Cooke and his elbows flying, and all the others that are continually shoved down our throats by the media.  I’ve had enough of them and their fans, as the above picture shows.  After watching two Stanley Cup Finals in a row with them in it, I am surprised I didn’t slit my wrists.  Some would say I got my redemption this year since the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup.  Sorry Charlie.  If you’ve read this site at least once, you know, a passionate hatred runs deep once I develop it.  This one stands by itself!

2) Detroit Red Wings: Othwerwise known as Scum or the Dead Wings, this team is actually 1a on my list.  Granted they have become a model franchise for drafting, acquiring free agents, and surviving the playoffs despite average goaltending, they still seem to make life miserable for the opposition.  They have created the new style of offence called puck possesion, which actually is kinda cool.  If you have the right players to play it.  They always are a good matchup to watch.  Except when they play the Penguins in the finals.  That was agonizing.  I’ve seen many a battle through the years, and beating them brings almost as much pleasure as watching the Penguins lose.  Or Cindy cry about a call he doesn’t get.  Almost.

3) Vancouver Canucks: I love the city of Vancouver.  It’s actually one of the most beautiful places in the world.  Water, mountains, fantastic weather, and great people.  Although I question some of the fans. Which leads us to their hockey team.  I mean who the heck throws a parade after you win a first round series?  Really?  Get a hold of yourself.  With the Sedin sisters, that loser goaltender you have, and the inability to hold your tempers in check, you’ll go another 10 years without a Cup victory.  Plus the green men aren’t funny any more.

4) New York Rangers: Even though they are an original six team, I can’t bring myself to like like or tolerate the Rangers.  Glen Sather and his spendthrift ways haven’t worked.  How is it possible that he still has a job with them?  High priced players, and poor production out of them would get most any general manager fired.  One of the most overhyped organizations around, they continually fail to impress and deliver.  Besides Marion Gaborik, they are a bore.  Plus, they employ Sean Avery.

5) Carolina Hurricanes:  Why are they on the list?  Easy.  Every time the Florida Panthers are close to getting into a playoff spot during the season, they end up playing and losing to the ‘Canes’. EVERY time!  The Cats just can’t seem to get past these pests.  A number of years ago, a loss to the Canes prompted then coach Mike Keenan to say in his post game presser that “This team doesn’t have the mental capacity to play playoff style hockey when it’s needed”.  Truer words have never been spoken.  On top of that didn’t the Panthers trade down from number one to number three in the 2003 draft, allowing them to pass on Eric Staal and take Nathan Horton instead?  See where that got us?  Although I do like fellow countrymen Tom Kostopoulos known as “Greek Lightning”.

Dishonorable mention:  As much as I’d like to add a team here, that would only dilute the five that I actually do hate.  However, I will add that any team that employes Sean Avery would be in this category.

Who’s on your list?

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