“It’s game time” has taken on new meaning for people all across our great province. The Canucks are deeply entrenched in battle and have most of us sitting on the edge of our seats...some of us unable to sit, but rather pacing madly around our living rooms like caged tigers...roaring and shaking. It is fun seeing all the spirit around town. Everybody has dug out their Canucks jerseys, old and new. Bosses don’t seem to mind that their employees are wearing their apparel to work every game day. In fact, some employers are letting their staff go home early to watch.
It is an odd phenomena. After all, hockey is just a game. It is not often we see people so united. Canucks music videos have popped up as quickly as our late spring flowers and they are good. It is this kind of spirit that makes me think that it really is our turn to bring home the cup. Lord Stanley is so close we can envision it heaved over our beloved Canucks’ players heads.
I think it is the spirit of the game that pulls so many of us in. It isn’t life or death if they win, but everybody needs to have a good boost of togetherness now and again. It was fun watching bits of the game while gambling at the Mining Casino Night and at the Special O golf tournament. People talk theories, strategies and complete b.s. about the whys and why nots of each game. There are those who don’t like LOOUUU. Could they do better? I think not. Lou is an Olympic gold medal winner. He has it.
The smack talk, the silly jokes (the Sedin sisters who have redeemed themselves as truly brothers) and the chest pounding are all part of it. These games are not necessary for us to keep breathing, but they sure do make the air a lot sweeter after each successive win. I don’t believe for a minute that the escalating spirit is only because of the games either. People want and need to have things to cheer for.
Even in the middle of our own chaos, it is nice to escape to a place of hope. We all win some and lose some. Every day is not a good day. Sometimes rally time is necessary, sometimes we have to dig deep and sometimes we have to lose graciously and shake hands with our opponents.
So is it just a game? I say no. Like the Aquatic Centre referendum coming up, if we don’t get a pool it isn’t the end of the world as we know it. It just has consequences. Princeton needs an Aquatic Centre to get more health care professionals and to draw young families to our town. We need this service to move forward.
Many people in our province are capitalizing from the play-off games right now. Travel agents, Rogers Arena staff, bars, restaurants, taxi services, hotels are all reaping rewards from each win. It isn’t life or death, but changes happen when a single parent gets a few more hours work a week or a young hockey player gets inspired. It is important that amongst all our cheers, we take a moment to think about the changes that happen when sometimes we just “jump in” with both feet and it feels good too.