For when One Great Scorer comes
To write against your name,
He marks – not that you won or lost –
But how you played the game
Grantland Rice (1880-1954)
As Don Cherry says, “ya gotta love it.” We’re talking, of course about the great Canadian game of Hockey. Here in Lotusland, surrounded by our pineapple and banana plantations, amidst our swaying palm trees, we’re smitten with Stanley Cup Fever
It’s only a game, someone remarked the other day, as fans sat oblivious to outside interference, their zombie eyes glued to the idiot box. “Some people should get their priorities straight,” one fan casually noted. “It isn’t just a game, it’s the Mother of all games.”
Finally we got a chance to “sock it to the great Maple Leafs.” Those stuffy Torontonians are now tasting humble pie. Perhaps they should forgive our temporary insanity. After all, it’s been some time since Canucks’ fans had this much to cheer about.
If only those confident Easterners could see the laid-back West now. They’d have to excuse us for our downright rudeness. Take for instance one particular television commercial. The name of the product escapes me, but it all begins with the words “You don’t see this much anymore,” as Toronto Coach Pat Burns appears on the screen. This is quite a joke in our fair province, probably much to the chagrin of the commercial sponsors.
Some consider sports a waste of time. Nonetheless, it certainly has more going for it that any other facet of society. Where else can a group of people with opposing ideas gather to scream and yell and express an opinion without being censored?
Ponder for a moment the importance of sports. Look to the sports pages of your daily paper. Sports reporters remain the one vestige of the literary domain that still “tell it like it is.” Now that’s something to cheer about.
There are, of course, more important matters. Amidst the hoopla of Stanley Cup finals, the 50th Anniversary of D-Day brought some sobering thoughts to many Canadians. Major ceremonies were held in Britain and France with many heads of state including Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister Jean Chretien and President Bill Clinton. The U.S. President caused minor uproar when he omitted the allies from his speech, while giving credit to the Americans for the combined victory. One is getting used to his faux pas, considering the war he has declared on the unborn.
Fifty years ago those who made the great sacrifice, fought not for “political correctness,” but to ensure a future society where life was precious and where Christian tradition would be preserved. Many don’t like to be reminded that Canada fought as a Christian nation where Christian values and respect for life were never questioned, let alone ridiculed.
The stories of D-Day were many and varied but perhaps during this time, the most important tribute we could pay those who fought so valiantly, is to enjoy the freedom we take for granted and carry on protecting valued tradition which make this country persevere.
Is sport a game imitating life? In these uncertain times, perhaps players know darn well they’d better abide by them or pay the consequences.
There’s something really exciting about being able to participate as a spectator entering a mixed crowd and still finding something in common with whomever you meet. Maybe that’s why sports events are so popular.
Possibly this is what society has been missing lately. Sometimes we all become so busy in our mundane world, we forget that we do, as a matter of fact, all have something in common.
“Back to the basics,” may be the criteria that keeps fans going to the box office. It’s all so simple. For a few hours two sides have a goal to reach as they claw and fight their way for points. Imagine if life were lived with such fervour.
Sorry folks, the third game of the Stanley Cup is about to begin. It’s time to gather the family for installment three in the game of life, while we remember that fifty years ago young men like these hockey players were dodging artillery and mortar shells instead of body checks.
It’s a matter of survival.
