Fansided

The 15 types of people you encounter during playoff hockey

By Bruin Belisle

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 6 - Maple Leaf fans during the 2nd period of NHL action as the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Air Canada Centre on April 6, 2017. (Carlos Osorio/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 6 - Maple Leaf fans during the 2nd period of NHL action as the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Air Canada Centre on April 6, 2017. (Carlos Osorio/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

14. The Playoff-only fan

There’s always one friend who doesn’t watch a lick of hockey until his team makes the playoffs. None of you even knew Jerry was a hockey fan until he showed up to work on April 12 with a Sidney Crosby jersey on.

“Hey guys! Did you catch the game last night? How about that goal by…”

*looks at hand*

“…Jake Guentzel?!”

While you may find these people insufferable, they make up 80 percent of the playoff fan base. When your team is celebrating the Cup at a parade, playoff fans are the bulk of who shows up.

This is a good thing. When a team is doing well, it generates a buzz around the city. More fans of your team means more people on your side and more people you get to celebrate with. The only feeling better than celebrating a championship is celebrating it with a crowd of people. After all, these people are your people. They are on your side.

When the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup in 2011, I took a homemade version of the Cup (complete with a drinkable kitchen bowl on top) and brought it to the nearest bar. Being in a Canadian city, I was met with a lot of dirty looks that night from Canucks fans and general people who assumed they were doing their duties in cheering for Canada.

It wasn’t until I poured the fourth or fifth pitcher into the cup that people started coming around to drink from my dilapidated version of Lord Stanley. I learned my lesson last time and the next time the Bruins win the cup, I’m finding the nearest room full of playoff-only fans to celebrate with.

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