Yesterday, a Montrealer visited Boston to see a “real hockey team.”

18/05/2024 Simeon Hockey 0

Historically, the Montreal Canadiens have had two major rivals: the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins. While the rivalry with the Leafs is largely based on geography and history, the animosity with Boston stems from intense competition on the ice.

Although there has always been a simmering tension between these two teams, in recent years, the rivalry has somewhat diminished. While it’s evident that there’s still no love lost between them, the heated confrontations of the past seem distant. Instances like Milan Lucic’s threats against Alexei Emelin and Andrew Ference’s gesture at the Bell Centre are now memories from a decade ago.

Nevertheless, the rivalry persists among fans. Last night, a Montreal fan in Boston caused a stir by expressing allegiance to the Bruins, who were ultimately defeated by the Panthers—a small consolation for the visiting supporter.

I came all the way from Montreal to see a real team play hockey.

It’s worth noting that the fan in question wasn’t Jacob Fowler, a Florida native present at the game, whose allegiance likely lay with the Panthers or possibly the Bruins due to his affiliation with Boston College.

Despite the Canadiens enduring challenging seasons while the Bruins have found success in recent years, animosity still simmers between fans. The rivalry, though somewhat subdued currently, remains alive, with supporters from both sides maintaining their disdain for one another. And with the potential for future playoff matchups between the two teams, the flames of rivalry are poised to reignite.