Sabres/Canes

I have been caught up in some Stanley Cup Playoff action.  The Carolina Hurricanes are in the midst of a strong playoff run,.  They are currently locked up with the Buffalo Sabres vying for the Eastern Conference title.  Per usual, the locals have rallied around the team.  The fans have started displaying Canes paraphernalia on their person and their automobiles.  The town is abuzz.  We saw similar support during the Canes last Stanley Cup run, back in aught two. 

I have been to my fair share of Canes games, so I have seen my share of opposing fans.  Traveling fans are a breed apart.  You are dealing with people that are willing to travel to see their team play an away game.  Those folks are willing to sit among the enemy in support.  I admire that sort of dedication.  I consider myself a big Canes fan, but I have never been to an away game.  So a traveling fan becomes a "bigger fan" in my mind.

However, I have to say that traveling Buffalo Sabre fans are the absolute worst.  Not so much their blind dedication to their team, because I like that, but more because of their demeanor.  They are the most obnoxious, uncivilized group of fans I have seen.  (This coming from someone that has seen New Jersey and Toronto fans)  Most away fans that I have seen do the regular shtick:  team chants and claiming that "my team is better than your team".  I can handle that too.  But the Sabre fans were excessively drunken, foul-mouthed, trash talking jerks.  Games 1 and 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals provided a lot more intra-fan confrontations than I remember in years past just from my personal experience, not even considering the police blotter.  While most opposing fans would have a playful exchange with local fans before, during and after the game, Sabre fans did the same thing with a sprinkle of angst.  Throw in a splash of alcohol and a Canes loss, and you have a recipe for disaster.  You can play the heel role without getting arrested.