Vancouver Blogger Sriseth

It's tough being a Canucks fan.

For 39 seasons since becoming an NHL franchise, they could not win the coveted trophy of professional hockey - the Stanley Cup. Canucks remain the only Canadian team not to have won the holy grail. As their rivals often tease; "Until you win the Stanley Cup, you haven't won anything". Vancouver's closest rivals Edmonton & Calgary had their good times with cup parades. Edmonton Oilers joined NHL a decade after Canucks did, but soon became a hockey dynasty during 80's when they were led by Wayne Gretzky & Mark Messier to 5 Stanley Cups. Calgary Flames, a team moved from Atlanta in 1980 won the cup in 1989. Although Canucks had an unexpectedly successful run to the finals in 1982 under Roger Nielson, they were crushed by the Islanders in the finals.

From White towels to Green Men - Ever innovative fans

Stanley Cup

By 1994, there was already an inferiority complex developing among fans about the failures of their beloved team. The turn of events in 1994 cup run left bitter sweet memories not many fans have been able to forget. For 17 long years since, Canucks had their ups and downs. They were a cup contender in many of those years, but couldn't go past the second round. Despite being the better team compared to their Canadian rivals during the past decade, they were the subject of criticism, pestering, persecution and torment by critics. All because of one reason - they haven't won anything. With none of the Canadian having able to win the cup for 18 long years, Canucks often had to answer the critics as the only team not to have won it and as the team that's most capable of doing it. Canucks have everything necessary to become a great hockey team; a fully supportive local ownership, a relentless fan base and a great city to call home. They should be winning cups in bunches. But the destiny has been cruel. It hurts their fans deeply.

Rogers Arena - the sellout record continues..

Over the time, the fans and critics supporting other teams have developed a hatred towards both Canucks team and their fans. There is criticism for everything they do - in mass media, social networks, chat rooms, fan forums....you name it. But the fans have always been faithful, despite all the failures & heart breaks during past 4 decades. Vancouver is blessed with passionate sports fans. They showed it to the whole World during the Olympics. Yes, there were riots after the game 7 loss in 1994. But, that's history. A team and it's fans that's so deserving shouldn't be kept away from a cup parade for so long. One chance to enjoy being the champions will cool things off immensely. All these hassling about not having won anything is too much to bear for this great city and its citizens.

Canucks winning the cup - will it be a reality?

The good news is that they are one game away from the cup glory. This 40 year long curse could come to and an within hours from now. We haven't forgotten how anxious the Canadian fans were until they enjoyed the moment a Canadian Olympian winning the first gold on home soil. Once the first gold medal was won, a dozen others came pouring in. Canucks fans wait anxiously for their first cup, and they know many cups will follow once they break this jinx. There will be endless celebrations on the streets of this great city. They will show the World for the second time in as many years that they are the most passionate fans ever.