[djsFlames]

The Oilers have become in recent years like the struggling younger brother who used to bother you, but now has fallen on such hard times that it's difficult to maintain a healthy hatred towards them. Personally I don't want to see them break out of their funk, but I'm not enthused by the idea of stomping on a team when they're down. Of course many fans outside of the Alberta teams seem to have no problem trashing our clubs (which I don't get, not very classy, and makes them look like complete bandwagon fans). If anything I'd show admiration for fans willing to stick behind their team during hard times. But also, I think we're gaining a great appreciation for their situation and what they've had to endure. At times I've become borderline neutral towards them. But don't get me wrong, Saturday definitely had me fuming. Their management and their circus of horrible decisions is entertaining though, as there's less reason to feel sorry for incompetent NHL GMs and front office personnel, especially when they believe they have it all figured out, but really don't.

Since the '04 lockout, it's just been far easier to hate the Canucks. Probably cause they've experienced some level of success, which has drove their fans to be far more obnoxious and in your face (than Oil fans), and the more irritating thing is they have grounds to be. And the fact that they've come close and haven't yet been able to reach a championship in their entire existence perhaps makes it more satisfying to dish the smack talk at the end of the day.