I need to confess. I've not been the biggest hockey Canada fan for a long time. I've always been Flames first, so when Iggy was on the team it was easy. After that, cheering for rival players never felt right. Then you have all of the Hockey Canada scandals and I was basically done with them. I found nationalism creepy in some aspects.
Coming into the tournament, I was cheering for Rasmus and Sweeden, not even watching the games. I'd watch the highlights after and hope to see McDavid racking up the minuses.
This morning though, the "Canada 51st state" thing finally cracked me. I overall really like this country and what most of us stand for, and am pissed that other people don't want to be our friends and let us be us. My nationalism has been on an exponential upward trend lately.
I admit it. When I woke up, I decided I'd root for McDavid to do well as he's part of this team. I wouldn't have hoped for him to have the moment of glory if I drew it up, but I just wanted someone to put the puck in the damn net, and I was excited as hell when he did it.
The switch is flipped off tomorrow. He's a bum, a loser - yes, an Oiler as of the morning. I feel dirty, but I think I'm ok with it.
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