Are the Sens Canada's team?

[Madferret]

Are the Sens Canada's team?
May 24, 2007
Sportsnet.ca

OTTAWA (CP) -- With Ottawa as the lone Canadian team in the Stanley Cup finals, it seems more and more people see the Senators as "Canada's team."

A new poll suggests most Canadians still see the Toronto Maple Leafs as the hockey team that most represents the country.

Among the nearly one-quarter of Canadians who, when asked, said they are avid hockey fans, 27 per cent picked the Leafs as Canada's team in a Decima poll conducted last weekend.

However, a close 26 per cent of those polled chose the Ottawa Senators as Canada's representative team, while another 23 per cent picked the Montreal Canadiens -- all within the poll's margin of error.

"While the rivalry between the Maple Leafs and the Canadiens has been one of the longest running and highest profile story lines in NHL (history)... the results also show that the Senators have established a claim to a place for themselves in the debate about which is `Canada's team' of the future, especially among avid followers of the game," said Decima CEO Bruce Anderson.

"The possibility of the Senators bringing the Stanley Cup back to Canada for the first time in more than a decade has won the enthusiastic support of millions of Canadians."

Overall, 24 per cent of the just over 1,000 people polled between May 17 and 20 named the Leafs as Canada's team, while 22 per cent picked the Canadiens and just 15 per cent chose the Sens.

The poll is considered accurate to within 3.1 percentage points, 19 times in 20.

The best-of-seven Stanley Cup final begins Monday night against the Anaheim Ducks.

And, it seems, many Canadian hockey fans think the Senators can pull out a victory.

"The strong majority of Canadian hockey fans is pulling for the Senators and believes they will win the Cup," said Anderson.

Nearly half of those asked thought it's likely the Senators will take home Lord Stanley's cup, but just 14 per cent said they believe the Sens are a sure thing. Among avid hockey fans, 88 per cent said they think the Senators will win the series.

Nine per cent think they'll lose.

Support for individual teams varies from province to province.

Not surprisingly, 58 per cent of those polled in Quebec picked the Habs as their favourite Canadian team, compared to the Senators at 13 per cent. No other team registered more than one per cent support.

In Ontario, 47 per cent chose the Leafs -- more than double the 22 per cent support shown for the Sens, even though Ottawa is also an Ontario team. Another eight per cent of those polled in Ontario picked the Canadiens, while no other team registered more than one per cent support in Ontario.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/images/nhl/ott/senators_celebrate_hor.jpg

[Man.Utd]

I've never like this "Canada's team" and it's no different for me now with the Sens in the hotseat. You can really have one "team" IMO. Though it was easier for me to get behind the Oil as my Western club of sorts. I actually rooted against Calgary as I thought their "playoff hockey" was pretty cheap and illgal, and they were lucky not to be two men down the entire game while "battling" in the old NHL and relying heavily on Kipper to mask some poor team performances.

As the last Canadian club left Ottawa will no doubt get their support from across the land as any other franchise would. But as Toronto's main rivals and the Leafs having so many fans it probably won't equal the adoration shown for the Western clubs.

I'm just happy our fans are celebrating with class. None of the riots that struck Calgary have appeared as of yet, nor any of the arrogance that appeared in Edmonton with many Oil fans being quick to dub themselves "the best fans in the world". That's a very hard thing to determine as it's not at all tangible and any Canadian city would get hyped for a run to the SCF. We're seeing right now in the Capital.

[KB in Kelowna]

For me Canada's Team is the one that wears the RED Sweaters with the Maple Leaf on the front of them. Am I pulling for the Sens in this year's SCF? Yes as a proud Canadian, I would like to see the Stanley Cup in Canada.

Given the TV ratings numbers I have seen, especially in Ontario, it appears that fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs are just that, and not hockey fans. But arrogance is not limited to that fan base. Sean "the Big Dude" McCormick said something to the effect that Ottawa's run is tainted in that they did not play the Oilers ?:eek: At least that is how I read his blog on Sportsnet.ca, 2 minutes of my life I will never get back. :laughing:

[Amoroq]

I do want Ottawa to win the Cup, because I want the cup to return to Canada. However there are more Canadian players on the Ducks.

Would I call Ottawa Canada's team? No, they are just the last Canadian team standing. This poll should have been run when the nucks and flames were still in.