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Poll: Habs are Canada's team

Canadian Press

Latest comment posted at 9:16 AM EDT 02/05/08

Survey says Montreal takes over from Toronto ...Read the full article

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  1. Joe Anglo from toronto, Canada writes: ahhh poor leaf fans, the truth hurts... although they will deny it and never accept it... so naive.

    The history, the culture, the fan base and reputation speaks for itself. Go Habs
  2. Juan Valasquez from Scarborough, Canada writes: So they took this poll AFTER the Canadian teams were knocked out?

    That's like asking America who their favorite baseball team is in an Jays/Mets World series.

    No one likes the Mets, but in this case....
  3. Right On the Left Coast from Vancouver, Canada writes: And last year, the Sens were Canada's team. And the year before, the Oilers. And two years before, the Flames.

    Anyone who remotely follows sports knows the definition of a wagon-hopper. Like it or not my Leaf-bashing friends, I believe the fact that TO is perennially top-2 without a Cup appearance to show in 40 years suggests which team is Canada's Favourite... :)
  4. The Economic Hitman jr. from Under the Viaduct, Canada writes: Even Fox News would admit that poll reeks of bias.
  5. puddin and pie from Canada writes: the Leafs COULD be canada's team if;

    Don Cherry were general manager,
  6. Ray Lancashire from Toronto, Canada writes: This is a really silly survey. Since Montreal is the only Canadian team left in the playoffs, why would we expect Toronto to be Canada's team. This really is a non-story.
  7. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: I don't need this poll to know the truth.

    One quick look at the TV ratings the Habs are generating is enough proof that the Habs blow the leafs out of the water in terms of popularity.
  8. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: Anybody but the Leafs
  9. Juan Valasquez from Scarborough, Canada writes: Pat, I believe this argument was raised last week.
    The Leafs and Ottawa had 3million plus the last playoff series on CBC.

    Montreal has a combined 3.3 million apparently when RDS and CBC are combined.
  10. Trilly B from Canada writes: Anyone who knows anything about surveys will understand that this one is flawed (with respect to how it's being presented). As already suggested here, this type of survey is largely based on current team performance.

    Of course fans polled during the second round of the playoffs will identify with the only Canadian team left! Duh!

    This is like that survey that appeared on ESPN's website a while back, attempting to measure brand value of north american sports teams by surveying fans. Predictably, current league champions and runners-up ranked high. Last year, for example, the Ottawa Senators ranked very high, and Montreal very low. Now that doesn't make much sense, does it?

    Still, go habs!
  11. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Oh please.....

    Not that I really care.... living in the GTA I will always get to watch my Leafs play... but what a stupid poll with the Habs being the only Canadian team left in the playoffs.

    Take the poll again after the over half Canadian Flyers knock off the 7 Canadians on the Habs (Ryder isn't dressing) and my bet is Canada's favourite team will be the Pens.

    Cheers
  12. R L from Canada writes: Well DUH! It is the NHL playoff season, and the Canadiens are the only Canadian team left, and ranked this year as one of the NHL's top 3 teams... this is such a no-brainer. If the Leafs were the only dominant Canadian team, and the Canadiens didn't make the playoffs, the results would be reversed.
  13. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: Actually, RDS and CBC are drawing over 4 mln for the Habs....that's higher than the migthy leaf could ever dream of drawing.
  14. Jude Hannaford from Canada writes: Scot, you've certainly been drinking the CBC's koolaid. Don't get me wrong, it seems I've had a glass or two as well. Someone had posted this already a couple of days ago, but this "Canada's team" nonsense is all about the CBC suckering us in to watching even though our team is out. But I'd like to elaborate a little further. Round 1; 3 to 4 Canadian teams, we still cheer for the home team. Round 2; 2 Canadian teams remain (if were lucky) some of us cheer on the home side while the CBC invites our country men and women to join our side to defeat the American based team. Round 3; 1 team left, CBC heralds remaining team as Canada's team, only team left to beat the dreaded Southern US team. Round 4; No Canadian teams left, default to team with the most Canadians, with the tie going to the team closest to the border. All of this going on, while our heroes from the home side have the good sense to spend the spring on the golf course, while the suckers (yours truly included) are still in front of the TV cheering on "Canada's team" whomever that may be. And yes, if my beloved Canadiens are indeed eliminated from the playoffs I too will cheering on Sidney, Gary, Marc-Andre, and Georges, to bring the cup to a place where snow has indeed fallen at least once this year. Vive Les Canadiens
  15. steve allan from Canada writes: I prefer this survey, it says it all --

    http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/161136
  16. Trilly B from Canada writes: Pat, I'm seeing an average figure of 1.5 million per game for the Montreal-Boston series. Where did you get your number?
  17. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: Trilly, This for Saturday's game (from the G&M):

    Hockey. Flyers-Canadiens CBC 1.84 million
    Hockey. Flyers-Canadiens RDS 1.99 million
    - RDS numbers only includes Quebec viewers, RDS has an additional 1 mln susbribers outside of Quebec (most likely all Habs fans) which are not included in these numbers

    Sorry, but the mighty leaf have never generated such numbers.
  18. John S from packalunchville, Canada writes: Dudes, how do you get stats on the Leafs when they're never in the playoffs? Was it done last December when we werent sure if they were in or not? Or were these 1967 stats? I want to join the G&M staff so I can have no life and get paid for it.
  19. reality man from ottawa, Canada writes: So how can you compare the support for a team in the playoffs with one that is not? Generally, Canadians tend to rally around the remaining Canadian team in the playoffs. I cheered for Montreal in '93 (in the finals) ,Vancouver in '94, Calgary in '04 and Edmonton in '06 even though none of these teams is my favourite and I am a Leaf fan. Last year's poll, when both Toronto and Montreal were out of the playoffs, showed Montreal and Toronto at roughly the same level of support with the difference probably being well within the poll's margin of error. I would suspect that the level of support for both Montreal and Toronto is roughly the same across the country given the same circumstances. By the way, this poll points out that it was taken AFTER both Ottawa and Calgary were eliminated so by defintion Montreal is "Canada's team" in the playoffs since no other Canadian team is in contention. The level of support for Montreal is very high (at 40%) because as anybody must admit, whether they love or hate the Habs, Montreal has a very high level of support across the country. On the other hand, were Toronto in the same position as Montreal right now then the level of support for the Leafs would probably be roughly the same give or take a few percent.
  20. Spencer C from Canada writes: They do these stupid polls every year and every year they are less than useless.

    Surprise, surprise, the team that is still alive has a bunch of new bandwagon fans.

    It happened to Ottawa last year (I'm a Sens fan), Edmonton the year before and Calgary the year before that.

    Why don't we all stop caring about who "Canada's team" is and just cheer for who we want to.
  21. Michael Sharp from Victorious, Canada writes:

    The Leafs would be Canada's team if...

    Toronto was Canada.

    The Leafs are Toronto's team and they deserve them.

    You think Canada cheers for whatever Canadian team is left?
    I think not.

    I wouldn't cheer for Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton or Ottawa if they were the only teams in the league.

    They're all scum-suckers.
  22. ah sails from Canada writes: out here in BC we are many RDS subscribers..great Habs coverage and superior play by play...Bob Cole is just so lame..
    the Habs play an exciting brand of hockey..even if the Cup is not meant to be this year..unfortunately the Leafs are terrible and may never make the playoffs again, it's is too bad for Torontonians that CBC even offers Leaf broadcasts to T.O.
  23. John S from packalunchville, Canada writes: Dudes, there's magic in a Habs springtime run for the Stanley Cup. The Expos and Alouettes knew their seasons were "fillers" til hockey season started again in the fall. The idea of the Leafs making a run is preposterous: has been for a long while.....it would take a completely restructured team 4 or 5 runs for me to be a Leaf fan again. The Habs have tradition...('to you from failing hands'): the Leafs have Peddie and Tannenbaum.
  24. J.C. Petite from Toronto, Canada writes: Im really looking forward to the Flyers winning this series, hopefully it will quiet all of these pretentious Habs fans that re-appear when their team is decent.
  25. Ab Irato from Montreal, Canada writes: Michael Sharp from Victorious, Canada writes:

    The Leafs would be Canada's team if...

    Toronto was Canada.

    The Leafs are Toronto's team and they deserve them.

    You think Canada cheers for whatever Canadian team is left?
    I think not.

    I wouldn't cheer for Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton or Ottawa if they were the only teams in the league.

    They're all scum-suckers.
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Yeah well scum-suckers who are still in the playoffs. Enjoy your long, long summer.
  26. Joe Dirt from Canada writes: Interesting, last year the Habs had 22% support, now they have 40%.

    In other words, 45% of Habs fans are bandwagon jumpers.
  27. M Liggins from Perth, Canada writes: Michael Sharp from Victorious, Canada writes:
    I wouldn't cheer for Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton or Ottawa if they were the only teams in the league. They're all scum-suckers.

    Scum suckers? Well thought out riposte there Michael. Strong and bitter words often mask a weak argument. Perhaps not so sharp Michael?

    You must be a Canucks fan, if so, how's that working for you? How did they do in their first round this or any other year?

    As a canadian, I am proud of all the teams, yes, even the undeserving Leafs. To answer the question, yes, the Leafs could also be Canadas' team IFF they won the odd game, had talent and actually made it to the playoffs.............
  28. J.C. Petite from Toronto, Canada writes: M Liggins from Perth, Canada writes: yes, the Leafs could also be Canadas' team IFF they won the odd game.

    What a bunch of crap. What was the season series between the Habs and Leafs this year?? Who killed the Habs chances of qualifying for the playoffs last year??
    Look, I know the Leafs have sucked the past couple of years but cmon.
  29. Tom Sawyer from Canada writes: who cares. I personally cheer for the Canadian players and teams with Canadian captains. Montreal has only 8 Canadians on the team...
  30. dan vanman from vancouver, Canada writes: Sorry Michael, I am a Canucks fan too, but the other pposters got you pegged.

    This is a ridiculous survey though, when there is only one team from the Great White North in the playoffs when its taken.

    BTW M Liggins...the Canucks missed the playoffs this year, but made it to the second round last year.

    Peace.
  31. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: No kidding !

    Why am I not surprised here ?
  32. John Stanton from Canada writes: Team Canada ...Latendresse, Begin, Bouillion, Gorges, Kostopolous, O'Byrne, Price were the only Canadians on the ice for the Canadiens last game - actually only 7. Give me a break
  33. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: John Stanton from Canada:

    The truth hurts, eh?

    How's the Don Cherry Groupie Club coming?
  34. wkly commuter from Canada writes: If I was a business man and I had;
    - a Soccer team that starts it's season in Mid April and is just starting to show the first signs of what could be a potentially ridiculously profitable enterprise, and
    - I had a Basketball with one of it's first of what should many post season forays in Mid April and is just starting to generate just starting to become a self sustaining enterprise with significant revenue growth potential, and
    - a hockey team that has pretty much maxed out it's growth and revenue potential.

    Would I be all that keen on investing any more in my Hockey team to make it to the playoffs and detract from the other two enterprises?

    Don't think so.

    Leafs will never win the Stanley Cup as long as MLSE owns them and I hate to say this but if you're a Leafs fan, then you're as much a loser as the Leafs are. If you love them then leave them. A little hard love is needed in Leaf land.

    (From a former leafs fan of 38 yrs.)
  35. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: And for all these trolls that cheer goons like Downie and Hatcher over "Canada's team"...

    I am conducting a poll that asks whether you should be shipped south of the border...

    Cheers.
  36. Michael Vidito from woodstock, Canada writes: Canada's team.....Pittsburg !!! Go get them Gary Roberts.
  37. The Seeker from Toronto, Canada writes: Juan Valasquez from Scarborough, Canada writes: Pat, I believe this argument was raised last week.
    The Leafs and Ottawa had 3million plus the last playoff series on CBC.

    Montreal has a combined 3.3 million apparently when RDS and CBC are combined.

    See, Juan, the thing about Pat Billings is he's an idiot.

    Just as a heads up, don't bother wasting the time you take typing out a response to him.

    Definitely not worth it.

    Patricia Billings, are you still upset with yesterday's Philly win?

    Go Flyers Go...
  38. The Seeker from Toronto, Canada writes: R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: And for all these trolls that cheer goons like Downie and Hatcher over "Canada's team"...

    I am conducting a poll that asks whether you should be shipped south of the border...

    Cheers.

    R Miller, the only troll is you.

    Why would I cheer for the Canadians? I'm not cheering for them because they are 'Canada's team'. I'd rather cheer for Pittsburgh - they have more Canadian players anyway.
  39. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Gary Roberts hasn't actually been playing for the Pens lately, but why am I not surprised that the fans in the Centre of the Universe haven't noticed that fact ?

    They do have this other feller from NS on the team named Sid Crosby, however...

    Go Habs ! Go Pens !
  40. atlantica party from Canada writes:
    Typical poll.

    Trying to appease Quebec.

    Lucky for them the Leafs didn't make the playoffs.

    Phili in 6
  41. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Who let the damn politicos on this thread?

    Go Habs Go --

    Canada's team -- I like that !

    Does this mean that the Leaf's nation has been officially overthrown ?

    Cheers.
  42. atlantica party from Canada writes:
    Being a leafs fan for 40 years , you tend to be realistic.

    Always have a playoff team in the wings.

    Go for your hometown boys.

    Colin White - Devils
    Jon Sim - Islanders
    Joey MacDonald - Islanders
    Derrick Walser - Marlies

    Always Sid the Kid , no matter what.

    Montreal is Canada's team ?

    Does this mean that the Leaf's nation is overthrown ?

    " Wait til next year "

    Have a good one.
  43. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: atlantica party from Canada:

    I would love to see Hometown Sid square off against my childhood heros, les Habitants...

    But here's a big difference between us....

    "Being a Leafs fan for 40 years, you tend to be realistic."

    Living in Montreal during the last dynasty (1976-1980), I tend to dream...

    Canada's team? I don't see why not.

    Cheers.
  44. Michael Sharp from Victorious, Canada writes:

    Oh geez.

    My passion for my 'nucks means that I CAN never cheer for any other Canadian team.

    That's how it works.

    Well, except Team Canada.
    That's Canada's team.
  45. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: OK, OK....

    Just to prove that I am a fair guy, Sharp....

    The 'Nucks can have some national coverage on HNIM next season too.

    Now, no more complaining or I'll send another snowstorm your way.

    Cheers.
  46. Richard Lovegrove from Toronto, Canada writes: Everyone seems to think these fan bases get created in one cup run; that's absurd. Never mind die hard Canadiens fans in Montreal, if you go around the country you have entire families that have had a Habs tradition for generations. With the Habs doing well again, it's just a natural resurgence. A case in point are these Kovalev and other Habs youtube videos that are all the rage, what other team has those?

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=cQDpr2Msp78
    http://youtube.com/watch?v=Vt2AAenVpKg
  47. Chris Eaton from Fredericton, writes: Lies, damn lies, and statistics...
  48. Trilly B from Canada writes: Pat, sorry for the late reply. CBC's advertisers are told to count on 2-2.5 million viewers for Toronto playoff games. (Though they were probably told to expect quite a few less this year!)

    And I would certainly expect Montreal to have the highest ratings of all Canadian teams right now. Would be really odd if the Canucks or Oilers pulled in viewers this week :)
  49. Chris Michaels from Oakville, Canada writes: Can anyone subscribe to RDS, or is it exclusive to Quebec?
    I see it on my digital cable guide and wouldn't mind having it. Wouldn't mind seeing a few more Habs games (even though I'm a Leaf fan...unfortunately) plus I've seen that they carry LNAH games?

    Does anyone know if LNAH games are still carried on RDS?
  50. B G from Toronto, Canada writes: Ha! Just checked out the Canadian campus radio charts and Crystal Castles, from Toronto, were #1 last week. Therefore, everyone from somewhere other than Toronto is a loser and all fans of Crystal Castles will get a raise, be better looking and have smarter children.

    Pretty much the same thing right?
  51. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Lies, damn lies, and statistics.... and then polls!

    But we, Habs fans, are on the winning side this time so...

    Oh well! ;)
  52. Mac - GLG from Canada writes: Montreal can be Canada's team as long as they are in the playoffs. Thats fair and expected.
    It will all shift back to the Leafs this fall.

    Be thankfull you don't cheer for Canada's joke - The Sens
  53. Blue Line from Canada writes: Mac GLG don't be so nasty. The Sens are far from Canada's joke, that would be the Leafs, although the Sens sure had a crappy half season.
    And Chris G, if you truly feel it is unfortunate that you are a Leafs fan - uh, did you know you don't have to be? Go ahead, wake up and smell that coffee.
    As for the last Canadian team, yeah, hard to define. Sens, Anaheim and St. Louis Blues had the most Canadians on their team this year. Montreal one of the least. That fact must really irk Don Cherry. And isn't Montreal's owner an American?
    I want to cheer for Montreal but I honestly don't think they have what it takes. They had a good ending to their season but then Montreal fans got really cocky and started planning their parade route. I like Pittsburgh but get tired of hearing about Sid the Kid all the time. I really wanted to cheer for Washington because I think Ovechkin is a hoot - looks like he absolutely LOVES to play hockey, but how can I cheer for an American team?
    I guess I wish there were more Canadian-based teams so we would have more chances of remaining in the playoffs. Right now we're a measley 6 against 24. Not the greatest odds. Atlanta, Nashville, Florida, Tampa, Phoenix, even Anaheim and LA, come on HOME!
  54. Ian m from United States writes: I think all this shows is that the people who comment on these boards are not representative of Canadian views on hockey.... thank goodness

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