Even if you’re not a sports fan, a hockey fan or a Canucks fan, it’s hard to not get caught up in the excitement of the Stanley Cup run. It’s been 17 years in the making and history is now once again at Vancouver’s doorstep.
The last time Vancouver made it to sport’s greatest championship series, Bill Ramsden was the mayor of Nelson, Mike Harcourt was running the show in Victoria and Jean Chretien was the newly elected prime minister in Ottawa where the Liberals would hold power for 13 years.
When Nelson boy Greg Adams and the Canucks forged into the final against the New York Rangers, Walmart had just arrived to Nelson, NAFTA was still a newly hatched trade deal, Kurt Cobain had just died, and O.J. Simpson was simply an ex-football player and marginal actor.
That series went seven games and the Rangers eventually triumphed, bringing heartbreak to fans across British Columbia. For 17 years the faithful had to wait. Now the pride oozes.
At its best, sport has the ability to bind people together. With what the Canucks are doing this spring we are witness to that phenomenon. Flags flapping out car windows, jerseys proudly strolling down Baker Street and local bars overflowing with happy patrons dropping plenty of dough while cheering on Bieksa and the boys.
Sure the players are massively overpaid and the corporate culture of professional sport has destroyed some of the joy. But now is not the time to overthink it.
The opportunity to challenge for the Stanley Cup is a rare moment for any hockey team. And for the men now hoping to be crowned champions of the greatest league in professional hockey, it’s been a goal since they were little kids dreaming about being the next Mike Bossy or Wayne Gretzky. To hoist that beautiful trophy over their heads and know they have accomplished a rare feat.
We’re lucky to get to sit back and watch it unfold. Enjoy the next two weeks.
—Nelson Star