Guest Post: A Hater Among Us

Teach Me About Losing, Leaf Fans

BY SARAH MILLAR

I was probably the only person in this city watching last Tuesday's Leafs game with a smug smile on my face during the first period. 

They're going to make it nine in a row, I thought, as Nashville ran up a 3-0 lead on the blue-and-white after only 12 minutes. Satisfied the game was over, I flipped stations over to Glee and forgot about those hapless Leafs.

Then the unthinkable happened. A comeback. Of miraculous proportions. And then, the Leafs — they actually won. It's a one-off, I reassured myself. It doesn't matter.

Fast forward to the next night.

I sat down to watch my team do some damage.

Instead, the unthinkable happened. My beloved Senators were crushed 7-1 by Carolina. It's just lucky I like Paul Maurice and have Eric Staal on my fantasy team otherwise there'd be hell to pay.

The Leafs won Thursday. The Sens lost Friday. I was beginning to see a pattern form here — and I didn't like it one little bit.

See, as an Ottawa Senators fan, I'm used to things going the way they always do: Leafs suck during the season while the Sens kick butt. And don't worry, I know what all you Leafs fans are saying out there: "But who wins in the playoffs? The Leafs always beat the Sens."

To that I say this: "And when was the last time you beat us in the playoffs? Oh, right. 2004."

A lot of people who learn my dirty little hockey secret often want to know how I became a Sens fan. After all, I grew up in southern Ontario — Hamilton, to be exact — a Leafs stronghold. The only thing worse than being a Sens fan in these parts is being a Habs fan.

See, I've never liked to follow the pack. I like being different. Thus my fandom for the Senators. (Also when Ottawa got their franchise, it was between them and Hamilton, so I could easily be cheering for the Hamilton Steelers right now or Balsillie Blackberrys or what have you.)

But the way this year's been going, I'm starting to feel a bit like a Leafs fan. The last time my Sens did this poorly was after their Cup run. (When was the last time the Leafs had a Cup run? Oh. Right. Sorry.)

I'm not used to this thing called "losing." Perhaps you Leafs fans can help me out here. If the Sens don't make the playoffs this year — gasp! — I'll really need your advice.

It's really great being a Sens fan in Toronto when the Sens are winning — I get to have the holier-than-thou attitude that Leafs fans usually possess, except I can back it up with stats.

But being a Sens fan in Toronto when the Sens are losing? It's been miserable. The only thing that's made it worse is when the Leafs are winning. There are no words to describe my mortification. I don't know how Leaf fans stay so proud even when their team is in the gutter.

Come Saturday, I had to watch the Leafs-Habs game (Carey Price is my starting goaltender on my fantasy team). And that was the night the hockey Gods finally smiled on me.

The Leafs lost. While I had to see the results of the next Senators game, at least I could sleep at night knowing the Leafs weren't on a winning streak anymore.

Fast forward to Monday night.

My Senators were playing and so were your Leafs. The Leafs game started first. They won. But my Senators pulled through and snapped a three-game losing streak, beating the L.A. Kings 3-2.

The Leafs may be winning again. But so are my Sens.

The universe has righted itself — almost.

  Sarah Millar is a proud Senators fan living inside Leafs Nation.

 

 

 

 

MAIN PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS

Comments

[Al]

Sarah... you REALLY want to separate from the pack and be an individual? Then continue to be a Sens fan while they go through a slump ... trust me, you'll be alone with your thoughts at the Palladium (or whatever its called now) on game night.

PS - Thanks for stepping up and giving us a target today :)

[John Scott]

Wow. You are pretty passionate about a team you are 4x older than.

[Nick Young]

This is how I feel being Leafs fan in Ottawa.
Trust me, when the Leafs are losing and the Sens are winning I get blasted all the time.

But, being a Leafs fan, I stick through it and cheer them on. During that Nashville game I kept saying "They'll come back...they'll come back..." and was so happy when they actually did!

I'll be at the Sens/Leafs game in Ottawa this weekend (21st birthday present!) proudly sporting my new Vertseeg Home jersey. GO LEAFS!

[Andrew]

Asking Leaf fans what it feels like to lose? Really? Tell me, what have Sen fans ever had to cheer about? LOL! Nice column - keep living in your dream world!

[Mike]

I knew there had to be at least one Sens fan who wasn't some fat overpaid civil servant enjoying there tickets on our taxpayer money.

[Sarah]

John,

Not close to 40, but thanks (I think). ;-)

[Sarah]

Nick,

I went to the Leafs/Sens game last year in Ottawa that the Leafs won in a shootout. Have fun. There's nothing like Scotiabank Place for the rivalry (and the razzing to my by Leafs fans on the OC Transpo ride out was part of the fun — too bad I couldn't silence them on the way home ;-)

[Jonas]

Shouldn't you be used to losing considering it took about 6-7 years for Ottawa to start winning?

[Sarah]

John,

My math is horrible. I'm not almost 80 years old.

[Jimmy0404]

Haha, the spokesperson for the Sens is a Glee-watching chick. Big surprise.

[Graeme]

Whether they're in the past or not, 13 Cups > 0 Cups.

[Burns]

Yeah I dont know if you really are a fan. If you started cheering for them when they got their franchise (92-93) you would know they lost 70 games that season, so I think you would know a little bit about losing. Just a little though. Oh yeah, and all those Stanley Cup rings are a real indication of how successful 'your' franchise has been.

[Alex Petroff]

Wow, you got to be kidding me. As long as they have Krusty, Neil and Spezza then they can win all the games they won but they can never win the big one. And they never will win

[MJB]

Be proud that your fan base isn't strong enough to overpower the Leaf fans at your home rink

[Hoofheartz]

Sarah, I only have one question. Who let you out of the kitchen?

[Eric G]

Yeah, like many others are saying here, it sounds like you became a fan in the last 10 years - otherwise you would know all too much about losing in ways even Leafs' fans don't. And if the Sens don't make the playoffs this year, don't come to us for advice, just remember how it was - gasp! - two years ago when the Sens didn't make the playoffs.

[Falconraptor]

Sarah! It is that simple: you play anywhere in NHL- you are a professional player, you play for Leafs- you are Immortal.

[CityPainter]

In my opinion, for a true sports fan a winning or losing record should not change loyalties. I was born outside Toronto, and like it or not, the Leafs are my home team, and I accept that. I don't support the Leafs because I think they are the best team in the league -- clearly a glance at any impartial statistics shows that they are not. But this is the hand Leaf fans have been dealt, and we will hold om to our cards for as long as it takes. It's easy to cheer for a winning team.

I'm always bemused by others who criticize Leaf fans for supporting for a team through years and decades of mediocrity -- in my opinion, that makes us worthy of a medal. Or perhaps a shiny cup of some sort. One day...

[Tea]

As a woman and a Habs fan living in Toronto, my question to Sarah: what is your romance life like? From my experience dating in this city, hockey is a third date topic if you're not a Leafs fan. Even my friends say I'm pretty nice for a Habs fan.

[Pyramid Power]

Born and raised in Hamilton, watches 'Glee', supports the Hens. OUCH!
My pity for you knows no bounds.
God bless ya and good luck.

[Pyramid Power]

LOVE the pic of the hapless Hens fans Vinay. LOL

VM Replies: That picture always makes me laugh.

[Brian K]

The pizza at Scotiabank Place is pretty good I must say. Must be the fresh meat & dairy from the farmland across the street.

No need to teach you how to deal with losing... much more fun (for everybody) if you learn the normal way.

[Alex]

Pretty typical for a Sens fan. After living in Ottawa for two years, I've now learned that what really makes Ottawa fans happy isn't success in Ottawa but rather failure in Toronto. Sigh, it's a little sad when people follow other teams to watch them lose and have to comfort themselves when their 'rivals' win a few games.

The Leafs might not be pretty or successful this year (or next), but they'll always be my team.

[Tom]

I see Sarah is just taking a beating here from her knowledge of losing with the Sens.

[Sens-ible Bill]

Al: How are things going at Maple Leaf Gardens, or whatever it's called now. (g)

[Sens-ible Bill]

Nick Young: "I'll be at the Sens/Leafs game in Ottawa this weekend." Thanks, we appreciate your money (or that of whoever bought your ticket) to help financially support a terrific franchise.
And you CAN get tickets because we don't blindly fill the place every game when our team isn't playing well. I know it may be a foreign concept in a certain "Nation", but doing so helps motivate the team, and the franchise, to do better.
A legacy of mediocrity is NOT tolerated in the nation's capital.

[Sens-ible Bill]

Andrew: "what have Sen fans ever had to cheer about?" A talented team? Missing the playoffs now being the exception rather than the norm? RECENTLY going all the way to the Stanley Cup finals?

[Pyramid Power]

TRAITOR!
According to the Leaf Nation constitution as drawn up by our founding fathers upon the commencement of our great nation clause 9C reads, "All citizens of southern Ontario of British origin who do not cheer with all their hearts and souls for the Toronto Maple Leafs shall be sought out, detained and condemned to hang by their necks until death after a summary trial by their peers. If they are citizens of francophone origin mercy shall be granted, and they will be permitted to cross the border back to Quebec to do whatever it is that Montreal Canadiens fans do such as burn, torch and loot their city and country upon any kind of small victory and so on and so forth."
As a member in good standing of Leaf Nation I find you guilty Ms. Millar, and furthermore, guilty of propagating anti-Leaf propaganda, hatred and blasphemy.
May God bless you now and forever Ms Millar. Do you have any last words before you meet your maker?

[Sens-ible Bill]

Mike: "fat overpaid civil servant enjoying there tickets on our taxpayer money." First off, obesity is not only NOT confined to any one profession or type of work. And from personal observation, obesity is no more prevalent among the public service than among the general population.
Again, from first-hand knowledge --- and no, I was never employed by the federal government --- very few public servants are, by any means, overpaid. In fact, in Ottawa, where employees in the private sector can be rewarded by employers with the gift of tickets to Senator games, public servants are NOT allowed to accept such gifts.
Finally, who is it that use those highly expensive Platinum (I think that's right) and Gold seats at the Air Canada Centre but can never make it back to their seats before the 2nd and 3rd periods are six or seven minutes old?
Could they be highly paid (overpaid?) corporate executives?
Public servants don't get "our taxpayer money" for free. What they get they work darn hard for while serving as the lightning rod for resentment generated by the politicians.
And the money used by corporations ALSO comes from our pockets. It's called capitalism.
I know. Lighten up. But it's so easy to use negative myths as a crutch and I happen to think someone should occasionally speak up on behalf of reality.

[Sens-ible Bill]

Jonas: "it took about 6-7 years for Ottawa to start winning?"
Isn't that about right for an expansion team?
And how long did it take the modern-day Senators to get to a Cup final?
Certainly not 43 years.

[Sens-ible Bill]

Graeme: "Whether they're in the past or not, 13 Cups > 0 Cups."
Math does seem to be a bit of a problem here today.
Whether they are in the (distant) past or not, the numbers should really be: 13 > 11.
There may have been a gap there in the middle, but the old Senators DID win 11 Cups and the new Senators will win their 12th (maybe even their 13th) before the Leafs win their 13th --- and thats with the old and new Senators combined having played how many fewer games? (g)

[Sens-ible Bill]

Burns: "Oh yeah, and all those Stanley Cup rings are a real indication of how successful 'your' franchise has been."
And just HOW MANY rings have the Leafs one since '92-'93? (Hint: The answer is the same as "since 1967.")
How many NHL Eastern Conference Championships since '92-'93? (Hint: Same answer.)

[Sens-ible Bill]

Alex Petrov: "As long as they have Krusty, Neil and Spezza."
Isn't it great when a team has such talented players that they don't have to keep ditching them and starting over, with, somehow, the same poor results?
Just another reality check, courtesy of someone who loves the Battle of Ontario rivalry and even likes most Leaf fans. (Most) of you guys are fun, which is why I like dropping by here, as well, of course, as supporting MY team back home.

[Sens-ible Bill]

MJB: "Be proud that your fan base isn't strong enough to overpower the Leaf fans at your home rink."
Have you listened lately?
We used to chuckle and let you have your fun shouting "Go Leafs, Go." It helps make the arena as lively as it is. (I keep hearing how quiet the ACC can be.)
But when some started making too much about it, well we decided to at least sometimes react, by drowning you out.
And you boo Krusty (who BTW hasn't been Krusty in a number of years now) and you're going to be drowned out by the "Alfie! Alfie! Alfie!" chant.
At the recent Canucks game at the Scotiabank Place, there easily seemed to be far more Canuck fans than there ever are Leaf fans. And we got along famously with them and had a great time. They even joined the laughter when stealing from a fan's sign on TV, I screamed: "Henrick, your brother is UGLY!" LOL
Anyway, we had Canuck fans and Montreal fans interspersed around us. Heck there were even two Nordiques fans sitting to my right and though their first language was obviously French, and mine isn't, we got along famously, this city, like this country, being bilingual. I let them know how strongly we want the Nordiques back in the league, (even if it takes them 6-7 years to start winning and make the great Battle of Quebec competitive again).
The two gentlemen to my wife's left confessed they were from Toronto. Something that was confirmed when they were eight minutes late getting back to their seats (11 rows up, out of reach for them at the ACC) for the second period, and never made it back for the third period.
We told them Leaf fans, even incognito as they were, were always welcome. They eventually relaxed and we shared a lot of teasing and laughs back and forth --- at least while they were there. (g)
We had great fun, despite the eventually one-sided score.

[Sens-ible Bill]

Falconraptor: "play anywhere in NHL- you are a professional player, you play for Leafs- you are Immortal."
LOL
Love it, man!

[Sens-ible Bill]

City Painter: "In my opinion, for a true sports fan a winning or losing record should not change loyalties."
I agree with you.
But I would add that sometimes, especially when a team is under performing, it can be a loyal fan's duty to practice some tough love. You want our money (via tickets, merchandise, etc.) then be sure you earn it or else.
I believe it's the only way to keep a team/franchise from becoming complacent. And it is not being disloyal. It's being loyal enough to truly care.

[InSENSitive]

Ottawa - the city that fun forgot.

[80s Leafs]

Sarah, use your media connections and get someone in the Ottawa TV-station community to dig out the footage of the 92-93 Sens for you, showing them winning their first road game of the year very near the end of the season. The the players carrying a garbage can raised above their heads a la the Stanley Cup around the ice in Long Island was classic!

What's Peter Sidorkewicz up to these days, anyway?

[Sens-ible Bill]

InSENSitive: "Ottawa - the city that fun forgot."
Wow. Talk about a fresh and up-to-date shot. How long did it take you to think that one up?
Not!
And do you realize you're stealing from Dr. Foth (a legendary columnist from the PAST) when you repeat that hoary old cliche?
I think a more accurate and timely comment might be: The Air Canada Coffin* --- the arena that fun forgot.
* Yes, I'm borrowing the phrase "Air Canada Coffin," but I am at least giving credit where credit is do (though unfortunately I don't recall the screen name off hand).

[Sens-ible Bill]

It's kind of sad to think Leaf Nation has to resort to ancient history to knock another team.
I don't recall ANY team entering the NHL and being instantly successful in terms of having significantly more wins than losses right off the bat.
It's like knocking someone's way of walking by going back to when they first emerged from the crib.
All teams have to crawl before they learn to walk and eventually to run, and soar and challenge for a championship in a Cup final.
No matter how poor a season the Sens may be having, it seems silly to compare a veteran team (like the Leafs) to a team (the early Sens) just coming into the league.
I think current and recent history is much more applicable --- even if the Leafs tend to lose out in those comparisons.
And speaking of expansion teams, this reminds me of an interesting question. I know that so far the Sens have only come close (losing in the final) but since the Leafs last challenged for a Cup (never mind actually winning one) how many expansion teams have won the Stanley Cup?
Peter Sidorkewicz? You play the hand you're dealt at the time. Funny thing is, the current Leafs could probably use a Sidorkewicz today --- even at Sidorkeicz's age. LOLwTOC (Which in this case is Laughing Out Loud, with Tongue In Cheek.) (g)

[Nick Young]

Sarah -

Thanks for the response. I've never been to a Sens game here in Ottawa when the Leafs have won, so I'm hoping for the best. I've been to the ACC a handful of times and watched them win, but never in Ottawa.

Sens-ible Bill -

The only reason I'm going to watch the Sens this weekend is to cheer on my Leafs. If I lived in Florida I would only watch the Panthers if the Leafs were in town. When people keep saying that the Leafs will never get better until people stop supporting them through tough times it urks me. I saw a lot of Sens fan where I work calling the season a write-off in October, no faith at all (and I know not all fans are like this).

The Leafs' management isn't just satisfied with mediocrity. They spend really close to the cap every year and have a ton of money in scouting and coaching (Allaire for goaltending is one of the reasons we have Gusty - and look what it's doing for him).

The whole "money over winning" thing died out after the Ballard era.

[Felix]

The leafs havent won a cup since '67 but yet were still second with overall cups! 40 plus year drought...and no one can catch us...NICE!

[Pyramid Power]

Sens-ible Bill was clearly 'working' the night shift somewhere as a bureaubrat in Rottawa. lol
What else do they have to do but post comments all night?
Sleep well Bill, and sweet dreams.
The only good thing about Ottawa is Hull as friends and I love to joke. The city that fun forgot is so true.
Thank God you have the Rideau Canal and the 67's! LOL
Lynx? Lost. Roughriders? Lost many times.
Hens? They were good for awhile, but faded to black after their Cup run in 2007.
Dany Heatley got outta there as fast as he could. Good for him.
Ray Emery and Brian McGrattan were run outta town by the duller than dull puritans in our nation's capital. Blech! LOL

[Robert]

Does it take a woman to set all these fans straight? And Leaf immortality? Well, there are dead and dying Leafs playing all over the NHL now. Cast offs who somehow play better when they leave Tronna. Its really a child's game, just look at the Toronto entry.

[koho]

A Hamiltonian cheering for the Senators, that's a little strange to say the least! All you really have to know about losing you've already learned Sarah dear, you need only look back at the Senator Stanley Cup final performance against the Ducks. That was a lay down of epic proportions and should prepare you for the long winter's night of mediocrity the Senators are quickly sinking into.

TO Sens-i-ble Bill....when you typed that out Billy, were you wearing the Habi-taunt pyjamas that most of you "Senator fans" secretly wear

[Chris]

Great post here Sarah. Really got everyone in an uproar.
However, I think I have to fundamentally challenge you on a point you make. You use the terms "we", "us" "our team" quite liberally throughout the post and subsequent comments. This is where I find your comments suspect. You see, you are not part of the "we" in Ottawa. You are not part of the "us" in Ottawa. You are the farthest thing from an Ottawa fan, because you don't live in Ottawa. You live far from Ottawa, unable to celebrate on Elgin Street after a playoff victory, or attend a rally at city hall. You cannot pop down to the market to watch a game, or jump on the bus to catch a last-minute game.
You are across Ontario, quietly celebrating for a team that you have no allegiance to other than one day saying "I'm gonna support the rivals from Ottawa". That doesn't make you a fan. It makes you an anti-fan. You hate and disparage first, support second. That type of negativity is unhealthy, although (ironically) it will get you some attention.
You speak of tough love, holding the team to account for their bad decisions, poor drafting and overpriced and unavailable tickets. Hey, congratulations on that by the way. You have managed to regurgitate comments made about the Leafs over and over, many times by their own fans. As a Leafs fan in Kitchener, I know the tickets are unavailable and overpriced. I know attending a Leafs game is a monumental event, a rare treat that I enjoy once a year. I know that the team has drafted and traded poorly over many years. I know that MLSE only thinks about the bottom line.
Guess what, I DON’T CARE.
I also know that I spent every Saturday night as a child watching the Leafs with my Mom and Dad. I know that attending a Leafs game at the Gardens was a special memory from my childhood. I remember playing shinny with a Ken Wregget jersey. I remember meeting Wendel Clark and getting him to sign a puck for me.
What do you remember? The Sens Stanley Cup run? Their playoff appearances? I say keep them. Keep those events you claim as your own. Keep them, and tell everyone you see that you claim them.
Cause, maybe one day you’ll actually believe that. Maybe one day those memories will be as important to you, as our Leafs memories are to us. But I doubt it.

[Brian Taylor]

Sarah, if I didn't know any better I thought you were the Ottawa version of Rosie Dimano. You are sly cool with your words and observations. Refreshing !

[John Adams]

Ah yes, the trials and tribulations of people that do not cheer for the Leafs, and yet live in Southern Ontario...oh well. As a Calgary Flames fan living in Ontario, I will say only this, at least your team gets coverage. Try tracking down results for a western team in the morning if you have no internet or TV access. It has been my experience that the latest free clinic rumors about a third string Raptor get more coverage and commentary than any teams west of Toronto in the NHL do. It may be Canada's game, but the coverage is all TORONTO, so kudos to you, Sarah, for tweaking the nose of the Leaf nation, who will always number one in merchandise sales--why? Simple. Every Leaf fan experiences those moments of clarity when they realize that their team is still not playing very well, for the ___ (insert number here) year in a row, so they burn/shred/bury their jersey. Then the LEAF-centric coverage lulls them into having a sense of hope again, so they run out to restock their fan attire, only to be disappointed again. Now that is good marketing.

[Jamie]

Hahaha judging by the track record of the Ottawa Roughriders... excuse me, Renegades you guys need to learn how to lose some games so you don't lose a franchise every time you have a couple of poor seasons.

Knock Toronto sports all you want but the fact is we are the only city that can consistently keep our teams around. And don't tell me its population or money driven, you're telling em Vancouver can support a basketball team with a 2.3M metro area and $1M houses on every corner. Montreal, a world class city, can't support a baseball franchise but KC can?

We love our Leafs and despise the Sens; simple as that.

[Pyramid Power]

Are you ready to become a lover, and not a hater yet Sarah? It is very difficult and it takes a lot of energy to be a pariah in your own town and a lover of hatred.
We at Leaf Nation will happily welcome you as a joyful citizen in our country if you renounce your horribly misguided Hen-loving ways.
There are benefits to being a citizen such as free anti-depressants at all hospitals, clinics etc... across Canada if you show your Leaf Nation passport.
Think about it.

[leefan]

Seeing as Ottawa holds the NHL record for most losses in a season, plus most road losses in a season, plus the Leafs put them out of the play-offs at every opportunity, I would think that Sarah could teach anyone all they would need to know about losing. Enjoy any small success before the Senators are moved to Las Vegas, their window for winning closed for good years ago.

[Bakedpot8o]

Ahh the Kanata Senators. Yes, Sens fans can boast that the've played in the playoffs in the last couple of years, but the team is hardly trending upwards. While the leafs have toiled in the basement for the past few years, they are the youngest team in the league and are improving. The Sens on the other hand, are somewhat lost. They have an aging core that will not get them back to the big dance... (Alfie, Kovalev, Phillips, Gonchar) and their "franchise" player makes way too much money for the amount of opposition players he sends on breakaways... (Spezza). Add terrible golatending (at least Lehner looks decent) and the fact that they traded away their best player last season (Atrain) and this team is not getting better in the near future. Some decent defensive prospects but otherwise the cupboard is bare....

As a Leafs fan in Ottawa there is nothing better than going to the 'bank, riling up some Sens fans and walking with your head high and high fiving all the other Leaf fans after a easy win against the Kanata Senators. Ive lived in Ottawa almost 10 years now, and the location of the Bank is downright criminal, putting it out on the burbs where it doesn't belong was a developers wet-dream. Imagine if it was down in Lebreton flats and actually added to the city? Call me a dreamer, but that rink actually makes the Sens suck even more (I know, like it is possible..) ;)

[Simmer]

I wonder what Alexander Daigle is up to these days..

[Pyramid Power]

I wonder what Jonathan Cheechoo is up to these days?

What's the over/under on how long Fisher and Underwood stay married? I give them another year max. Then there will be many tears in Mike's beers as he cries for his dear who is on his lonely mind. Sad.
I wonder if Dany Heatley misses Ottawa? I wonder if Marian Hossa misses Ottawa?
I wonder if Alex Kovalev is marking the days off his calendar until his $5 mill per year contract expires this year, and he can escape one of the world's most boring cities?
Check out Bank St. at 6 p.m. tonight. Will be a wasteland. A ghost town. Nothing there at all as all the simple serpents a.k.a. civil servants scurry home to Nepean, Kanata, Orleans and other wonderful suburbs.
One poster mentions the Bank possibly having been at Lebreton Flats. Not a chance. With the NCC and the massive bureaucracy in Ottawa that would have made far far too much sense. And the little noise made by its denizens on game nights would have disturbed the sleep of the locals up on Somerset and Bronson etc..., and late night plotting politicos down the street at Parliament.
Ottawa has been described as a beautiful park with homes. It is a beautiful city no doubt thanks to Canadian taxpayers, but the boredom that must set in living there year after year after miserable year must be intolerable.

[Nik Culoman]

A guy walks into a bar, there is a robot bartender. He sits down, and asks for a drink, the robot responds "tell me your IQ", the man replies 250, so the robot makes the guy a great martini and they discuss art, history and politics. The gets up and walks out...The guy than decides to go back back, the robot asks again "what is your iq?" the man replies 100, the robot makes him another great martini and they discuss NASCAR, George Bush, Professional Wrestling. The once again walks out of the bar only to return, He sits down and orders another drink..The robot inturn asks the man for his iq, the guy replies "50".

The robot comes in close and asks "Are you going to be cheering for the Sens again this year are you?

[Jon]

Wow sarcasm from a Sens fan, you're one of a kind! You can say what you want about Leafs nation but let's not forget the lottery draft for first overall came about because your team purposely tanked to get the first overall pick (and if you don't believe research Bruce Firestone being fined by the league).

Get used to losing honey, your team is right where the Leafs bringing in vets on the verge or retirement in a feeble attempt at another run deep into the playoffs. This is a team that won't get past the first round. You're just another small market hick trying your best to believe your in the bigtime.

[Sarah]

Thanks for all the comments here on my post guys (and gals!).
Wanted to thank Pyramid Power for the offer to be welcomed over to the Dark Side. Don't think I'll ever take it, but thanks nonetheless.
Chris: No, I don't live in Ottawa, but I did once, so I didn't just pick the Sens out of a hat.
In my humble opinion, no other rivalry can compare to sports rivalries. And I'm proud that the Sens-Leafs one is so strong!
I don't often say nice things about the Leafs or Leafs fans, but you guys are a dedicated bunch and I give you credit for that. There are definitely no other fans in the NHL like Leafs fans!

VM Replies: Thanks for the guest post, Sarah. It's always fascinating to hear from fans of other teams, even ones that suck. (Kidding!)

[Pyramid Power]

You're welcome Sarah. On behalf of Leaf Nation that is an open invitation.
Think long and hard about joining the blue and white LIGHT mi amiga - you will not regret it.
I guarantee you the Leafs are going to be the next Canadian team to win Stanley, and man, will you be bummed as Toronto explodes in 40+ years of rapturous joy.
See the light, join the light, be the light Sarah.
Thanks for a great blog, and a chance to trash the team you love and the city of Ottawa. Always fun.

[Tom]

This is what you've done VM. You've opened the door for the Ottawa hordes. Now we're all doooooomed.

VM Replies: I'm sorry, Tom. It seemed like a reasonable idea at the time.

[Shatter]

it's fun, as a Habs fan, to sit back with all of our cups, reminiscing about our great and inspiring playoff run LAST YEAR, and listen to the two "short bus kids" (Ottawa and Toronto) fighting about who's a bigger loser. It's ok kids.. you're both losers.
hee hee..ooh look.. i'm in first place.. it's so hard to see them from up here.

VM Replies: I really should ban your IP for this comment. But you made me laugh.

[ryan]

why is this pointless blog even here?

i read two paragraphs and settled to conclude that this is belongs in the wrong site. shouldnt it be on the ottawa sens website?

[Steven]

Well Sarah you are a Sens fan, my condolences; we have all made mistakes in our life.

You talk about the Leafs losing blah, blah. Well let me tell you something Sens fans like yourself should not be running their mouths. Come talk to us Leaf fans when: 1) You beat us in the playoffs; 2) when you get a Stanley Cup banner. Trust me I don't see anyone of those things happening in the near future.

Also, I have been to many Sens games in Ottawa and let me tell you something...people talk about the ACC being quiet, WOW!! I thought I was at funeral at Scotiabank Place. Plus, the place was half empty; how embarrassing! I also find it pathetic that fans in Ottawa chant Leafs suck when they show highlights of the Leaf game at Scotabank Place. Talk about being babies. At least we have class in Toronto.

Put it this way, the Sens will always be inferior to the Maple Leafs. Please, save your breath and don't try to argue differently!

[k]

Leaf fan living in Ottawa. One thing I learned?... Sen's fans are obsessed with Toronto.

I know, I know... Canuck fans, Hab fans, Flames Fans, Oiler fans AND Sens fans all have one thing in common. They hate the leafs.

But its different here in Ottawa. Even the Hab fans etc... find it annoying, how Sen's fan's are obsessed with the Leafs!

I mean common, if the Leaf's are so bad, why is it that Sen's fans have the inferiority complex?

[Gord]

Sens-ible Bill is typical of the insecure Senators fan. Have to respond to every post ridiculing that pathetic franchise you have in the capital. Keep hanging on to that Cup final, it's the only success you're going to have for a loooong time. I see the Sens as the Leafs from 2003, a crop of veterans that still believe they have a chance.

I must admit, it makes me cringe when Leaf fans boo that muppet Alfredsson at the ACC, but it makes me chuckle every time hearing the Sens captain being booed in his own rink. Good times.

Thanks for putting yourself out there Sarah.

[Ian K]

Sarah, just ask whoever hires the Sens goalie's and the goalie coach. They obviously love to lose. They should be well versed in how to handle it. I think his name is Bryan Murray aka "Shtop shtaring at my neck brache, Shtanley!"

[LEAFSNATION]

If you hate the leafs so much why live in Toronto? Why live in a place that bleeds white and blue? Guessing your home village doesn't much to offer? I LOVE how much sens fans habs fan etc. are compelty obbessed with the leafs. "Oh s--t we just got our ass kicked today!", flips channel, "Oh, at least the leafs lost". Keep saying we suck. We've heard that since we came into the league. No wirewalker is going to bring down leafs nation. Habs losing? They start pointing fingers. Start BOOING their own team! Don't act like your not use to losing. Leaf fans stick to together through thick and thin. You don't hear SENS NATION do you? Or PENS NATION , no way in hell! You here LEAFSNATION. GO LEAFS GO!!