Believing Again

Montrealers are starting to settle into a post-Canadiens playoff fever mode.

Or are they?

In an earlier blog, I made note of of the mood of Habs fans as the Canadiens - Washington series began. On my way into work, which involves traversing three major area highways, I counted one solitary car sporting a Habs flag. As the unlikely playoff story played out, the boon in Bleublancrouge flags fluttering along the highways and byways of the city was remarkable.

Given the pessimism that existed at the onset of the playoffs, I fully expected the flags would be jettisoned immediately after the disappointing game five loss to the Flyers. But it didn't happen. I still see numerous flags and fan paraphernalia across the city.

I'll admit I'm a bit surprised. The bandwagon seemed to be getting a little overloaded. I just assumed those fair-weather fans would be quick to hop off in favour of some other distraction. Which leads me to think something has changed in this city.

Brian Wilde of CTV Sports recently wrote a blog that captured the mood in the Habs dressing room after their storybook playoff run had come to an end. The players were inconsolable. They didn't want to talk about the incredible success of their playoff run. In their minds, there was no prize worthy of discussing other than the Stanley Cup.

As Wilde pointed out, this is in part why they came as far as they did. They believed more than anyone else that they were capable of achieving their goals, and even in defeat, still did.

I only hope in the coming days and weeks that the players can come to see what it is they have done for this city. This hockey-mad, weary and often cynical city.

Coming off a year of celebrations for the Canadiens Centennial, we were constantly reminded of how great we once were. Of all of those heroes who inspired us. Memories now relegated to ageing photographs and grainy film footage. In a way, we had come to feel as if the best of this city and its beloved team had come and gone.

As the players set themselves to the painful task of clearing out their lockers and trying to reset for next season, I think they ought to know what they have done for their fans.

To say that their playoff achievements were inspirational is an understatement. This team displayed a grit and determination that transcended anything this fan has ever witnessed. The team not only silenced their critics, they made them look like fools
fumbling for an explanation. All of those wannabe and once-weres in their tailored suits, slouching in their studio chairs, blathering opinions and so-called expertise to the television cameras, know nothing of the remarkable achievements of this team. When they were counted out, they rose up. They threw themselves in front of rifling pucks, pushed themselves to the brink of exhaustion, but did not quit. Through sheer force of will, they served notice that they would not, and should not, be counted out.

Yes, there were individual heroes to be sure, but the true hero was the team itself. For it was what they achieved together that proved to be far, far greater than the sum of its parts.

The critics and media weasels have descended again to try and steal the spotlight from the Hab's remarkable achievements. They were quick to leap into the fray claiming to know what led to their success and salivating at the chance to expound to the world their wisdom as to why things ended as they did. In the end they have been exposed as nothing but hucksters of cynicism and their own self-aggrandizing opinions.

The fans know better.

The greatness of this team's success did not come from its history. It wasn't the mythical ghosts from the old Forum. It's wasn't that vaunted torch, so often called to be passed from failing hands. It came from the hearts and souls players and coaches who rose above adversity and through courage and conviction, not resting on the laurels of prior achievements, continued to strive for excellence.

'History will be made' is the NHL's campaign for the 2009-2010 Stanley Cup playoffs. In the case of the Canadiens, the past one hundred years has been rich, but as this year's team proved, making history is far greater than talking about it.

On behalf of the grateful, renewed and inspired fans and this city, our thanks to the players and coaches of this year's Canadiens. To us, you are true champions, and most importantly, you reminded us of what all of us can achieve if we simply believe.

Go Habs, Go.