mtl4thewin Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Well...I am presenting this thread in general terms and hope all will supply us with their experiences as hab fans in the opposing teams home arena. My personal goal with this thread is to get a better sense of what to expect as a hab fan when entering the home of a rival team. I plan on traveling 9 hours to Boston to check out les boys against the booruins on Thursday, Nov 13, 2008. Do you cheer your guts out with the risk of getting brutally beaten at any point in time throughout the night? Or do you cheer quietly, hoping to go unnoticed, in fear of the beatings that wait for you otherwise? Admin, please feel free to move or delete this if it is placed inappropriately under this umbrella of threads. Ciao Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeafHater Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 i've enver been to an away game myself but i know my sister went to a Boston game and while most people were ok, she did have some guys telling her that the habs suck (normal) and that the french should go home and that kind of stuff (ignorant and kind of silly considering two of their better players are french, well Savard is from Ottawa i'm assuming he's french for that one, so i may be wrong but still). So i guess that would be the only thing to be careful for. but otherwise i heard it was a pretty fun experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtl4thewin Posted November 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 i've enver been to an away game myself but i know my sister went to a Boston game and while most people were ok, she did have some guys telling her that the habs suck (normal) and that the french should go home and that kind of stuff (ignorant and kind of silly considering two of their better players are french, well Savard is from Ottawa i'm assuming he's french for that one, so i may be wrong but still). So i guess that would be the only thing to be careful for. but otherwise i heard it was a pretty fun experience. Thanks for sharing this...Yeah, I would expect the derogatory comments. I can imagine it can get pretty intense with certain fans because some people don't have that hesitation or reservation many others would have when publically expressing emotion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FisherNeilMcGrattan Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 I've had the experience in away games way more than home games and I can tell you that most of the time, you will be fine with the crowd unless you are really UNPATIENT and cannot take general comments. My friend and I went to severals arenas to watch the away team and most of the time, we had a blast with the crowd. They usually test you at first and if they see that you can joke with them, you will be fine and will be able to cheer for your team, but don't get in their faces when you cheer for your team. Just stand up, clap, cheer but don't get annoying. That's my secret.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColRouleBleu Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 I've had the experience in away games way more than home games and I can tell you that most of the time, you will be fine with the crowd unless you are really UNPATIENT and cannot take general comments. My friend and I went to severals arenas to watch the away team and most of the time, we had a blast with the crowd. They usually test you at first and if they see that you can joke with them, you will be fine and will be able to cheer for your team, but don't get in their faces when you cheer for your team. Just stand up, clap, cheer but don't get annoying. That's my secret.... That's my experience too. However, in Boston it may be be a gamble, specially when you sit in a section where there arent too many other Habs fans and where the Booins fan drink more beer than they are capable of supporting. Last year friends had 'horror' stories to tell coming back from Boston while I didn't have any problem whatsoever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silentcal Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 I live in Western Massachusetts and have gone to about a dozen games in Boston. For the most part, Boston fans are okay. If your respectful of where you are , you should not have a problem. You can stand and clap for your team and cheer without much of a hassle. I've had some good conversations with some fans who really do know their hockey. I've also sat next to some idiots but they generally leave you alone unless you get on their nerves. If your going in a group, make sure everyone knows to behave themselves. All it takes is one guy to mouth off and your whole group might get a beer bath, a litany of verbal abuse, and other assorted mischief. To be honest, lately in the Garden , you have been getting very large groups of Habs fans making their presense felt. My guess is that at least 10 to 15% of the building will be Habs fans on a weekenight, maybe more so on a weekend. Boston does not always sellout, but all the Habs games do. Enjoy the game! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cammy12334 Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 i've enver been to an away game myself but i know my sister went to a Boston game and while most people were ok, she did have some guys telling her that the habs suck (normal) and that the french should go home and that kind of stuff (ignorant and kind of silly considering two of their better players are french, well Savard is from Ottawa i'm assuming he's french for that one, so i may be wrong but still). So i guess that would be the only thing to be careful for. but otherwise i heard it was a pretty fun experience. I've been to Boston and its the same thing the chant and they do same some really dumb things about French Quebecers...etc I also went to Long Island when we won 5-4 It was fun the crowd was alright after awhile they calmed down and everyone was really nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrownSugarl Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Never been to a Boston game, but I did go to a Habs game in Atlanta 2 years ago. Good crowd, though. Very friendly, and a lot of Habs fans too. Has anyone been to a game in Carolina or DC? Those are the closest venues to me now, and I'd like to go to a game this year. Otherwise, the closest I'll get is when the Bulldogs come down to Norfolk in Feb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WesternWill Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Wrong thread! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtl4thewin Posted November 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 Wrong thread! Is it?...This is a discussion about habs fans and their experiences...This shouldn't be in the General Habs Discussion? Maybe instead of simply pointing it out, you would explain why you think so...I certainly wouldn't want to pollute the thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbtcomputers_ca Posted November 12, 2008 Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 I've never been to Boston for a game, however I have been to Buffalo and Toronto and I cheer loud and proud regardless. There are most likely a LOT more habs fans to support me in toronto and buffalo though. i would say deffinantly wear our colours, and standup and cheer when they score. As for yelling anything else ... do so at your own risk! have fun though, and Go Habs Go!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby4 Posted November 12, 2008 Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 I am visiting the Bell Centre for the first time on November 22/08 HABS VS BRUINS I am beyond excited for this game and have the Bruin Logo on my #4 jersey bullet-proof !! tee hee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habs_10 Posted November 12, 2008 Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 I personally have been to both road games and of course home games since i live in downtown MONTREAL. here's the secret i do when i am on the road and i ask of visiting fans when they are here. i've watched game sin toronto, boston, buffalo and ottawa. the trick is to never have bad intentions against the home team fans. when leaf fans come here, i get along with the ones that like to chit chat and want to cheer for their team. the ones i don't get along with are the ones that cheer against the habs and start the insults. so i take that with me on the road. i cheer the habs, and i don't boo or diss the other team. i'm there to cheer for my team. whenever someone says anything to you or jeers you, just come back with a funny remark and make fun of yourself, you'll find yourself hanging out with them all night. when they push it with me then i would talk back to them. the bullies won't back down if they see you intimidation. LOL...in buffalo my comeback to them used to be "call me when your loser of a city wins a championship in any sport".....THATS NO GOOD. but sometimes it has to b that way. cheer your team on the road, don't jeer their team. that's my rule, unless it needs to be done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twenty-Two Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 Never been to a Boston game, but I did go to a Habs game in Atlanta 2 years ago. Good crowd, though. Very friendly, and a lot of Habs fans too. Has anyone been to a game in Carolina or DC? Those are the closest venues to me now, and I'd like to go to a game this year. Otherwise, the closest I'll get is when the Bulldogs come down to Norfolk in Feb. I have gone to every Habs game in Carolina for the past 3 years. The fans here are awesome, and they have more than respect for any visiting teams fans. The only problem I have found is that there are never a lot of Habs fans at the RBC, which is kind of a bummer. FYI: the upper bowl is always rowdier than the lower bowl. And for me, I have been to see the Canadiens in Carolina, Atlanta, Sunrise, and Tampa. Every single experience has been absolutely marvolous. The Habs always have two games in Florida during winter, every winter (around Christmas) and the city is pretty much all Canadiens fans that go to both those games. It's amazing. We out-cheer and out-chant the home teams fans and we sing "Goodbye" to them in their own building! You hear more French speaking than English, and more bleu blanc rouge than any other color. After a win, there is cheering in the parking lots and honking horns and waving flags, and all the Habs fans go out and eat out after the games so they are everywhere! A trip to Florida during Christmas is a must for any Habs fan. It's simply marvolous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbryson27 Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 I wore al my habs stuff in pitsburg and buffalo and never had a problem...habs fans give visitors a harder time (all in good fun) than i have experienced elsewhere.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leafs_rock_go_mccabe Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 I wore al my habs stuff in pitsburg and buffalo and never had a problem...habs fans give visitors a harder time (all in good fun) than i have experienced elsewhere.. I have never been in a visiting building before, but I witnessed a Carolina fan escorted out of the Bell Center last season during Carolina's 5-1 romping of Montreal. It looks like our fans in the upper bowl were giving him a hard time, and he was giving them a hard time right back... It got to be too much apparently, so security escorted him out. I guess you have to watch out if your team is winning by a monumental amount in a visiting arena. Don't get too cocky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjamessauve Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 I went to see the Habs at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa last year. 6-1 Senators, and one hell of a boring place to watch hockey. Parking is TERRIBLE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 Respect is a 2 way street. If you act the same way you would expect a visitor to act in your building then you will have no problems. I've gone to the Buffalo arena a few times and been very confortable in wearing the colours and cheering on my team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glory_Days Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 I'm going to Ottawa for the Nov. 20 game and I'm hoping many Habs fan show up! Also going Jan. 17! It'll be my first experience away from the Bell Centre! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliffster Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 99% of the games that I've seen the Habs play are in away buildings. Here are some tips: 1. Wear something that easily identifies you as a Habs fan like a jersey or hat. This will eliminate any confusion 2. Introduce yourself to your section. For example, I get to my seat, show my jersey, and bow to everyone stating "Hello, I'm your token Habs fan for the evening" 3. Don't chant "Go Habs Go". It only makes fans of the other team chant their team name louder than all the Habs fans can. I've seen it happen at every game. There will always be more of them than there will be of us. 4. Be respectful and have fun. Treat it like you're watching the game at home, and bring that enthusiasm with you to the game. I for one get pretty animated when I'm watching the game on TV. Try and find a fan of the opposing team and banter with them to build rapport, its really fun and they also might stick up for you if some yahoo tries to pick on you. 5. Don't rub it in their faces when their team looses or gets scored on. Again there will always be more of them than there will be of us. One time at a Canucks vs. Wild game, I saw a Minnesota fan get knocked unconscious for taunting a Canucks fan. Ouch. I hope that helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HabsFanInCalgary Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 I went to Habs-Flames game here in Calgary the first year I got here < about 12 years ago > and was having a good time w/ my better half. The Flames were winning 1-0 and then we tied it up. Was great. A child of about 8-12 < bad at guessing age > stood up and cheered w/ a Habs jersey on and a guy of about 20-25 proceeded to pour his beer on him. The childs mother was dumbfounded and began to scream < and I mean scream > at him in French as the little boy cried. half of the section stood up and cheered this guy on throwing out racial slurs and laughing at these two Hab fans. Myself and my girlfriend were mortified and I grabbed the guy and tarted swinging. Security showed up and escorted me, my girlfriend, the child and his mother out of the building < claiming we had started the altercation >and allowed the beer pourer to stay. I have also been kicked out of bars here for cheering when MTL scores against CGY. I've had bars outright refuse to put the Habs game on because CGY plays that night. No point in reminding them that the MTL game finishes BEFORE the start of the CGY game, ' we're Flames fans here' is what I am told. I have now found a very nice spot < Shanks South > that is very accommodating and gives me a big screen to watch the game on, regardless of weather CGY plays or not. The manager is a CGY fan, but understands that you need business from everyone < plus I blow about $150 a game > This does not mean that CGY is not a good place to come, just need to watch for the standard morons you get everywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliffster Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 I went to Habs-Flames game here in Calgary the first year I got here < about 12 years ago > and was having a good time w/ my better half. The Flames were winning 1-0 and then we tied it up. Was great. A child of about 8-12 < bad at guessing age > stood up and cheered w/ a Habs jersey on and a guy of about 20-25 proceeded to pour his beer on him. The childs mother was dumbfounded and began to scream < and I mean scream > at him in French as the little boy cried. half of the section stood up and cheered this guy on throwing out racial slurs and laughing at these two Hab fans. Myself and my girlfriend were mortified and I grabbed the guy and tarted swinging. Security showed up and escorted me, my girlfriend, the child and his mother out of the building < claiming we had started the altercation >and allowed the beer pourer to stay. I have also been kicked out of bars here for cheering when MTL scores against CGY. I've had bars outright refuse to put the Habs game on because CGY plays that night. No point in reminding them that the MTL game finishes BEFORE the start of the CGY game, ' we're Flames fans here' is what I am told. I have now found a very nice spot < Shanks South > that is very accommodating and gives me a big screen to watch the game on, regardless of weather CGY plays or not. The manager is a CGY fan, but understands that you need business from everyone < plus I blow about $150 a game > This does not mean that CGY is not a good place to come, just need to watch for the standard morons you get everywhere. That's disgusting, but not surprising coming from Calgary. Good on you for standing up for that kid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HabsFanInCalgary Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 That's disgusting, but not surprising coming from Calgary. Good on you for standing up for that kid. Seemed a sin not too. Wish I could have watched the rest of the game though...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habs24Champions_mtl Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 I live in Western Massachusetts and have gone to about a dozen games in Boston. For the most part, Boston fans are okay. If your respectful of where you are , you should not have a problem. You can stand and clap for your team and cheer without much of a hassle. I've had some good conversations with some fans who really do know their hockey. I've also sat next to some idiots but they generally leave you alone unless you get on their nerves. If your going in a group, make sure everyone knows to behave themselves. All it takes is one guy to mouth off and your whole group might get a beer bath, a litany of verbal abuse, and other assorted mischief. To be honest, lately in the Garden , you have been getting very large groups of Habs fans making their presense felt. My guess is that at least 10 to 15% of the building will be Habs fans on a weekenight, maybe more so on a weekend. Boston does not always sellout, but all the Habs games do. Enjoy the game! wow where in western massachusetts? from Ludlow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnyc Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 I live in Ottawa, but am a Canadiens season ticket holder. I consider myself a minor expert when discussing the Habs on the road as I have been to the following: Ottawa (Landsdown and Scotia Bank) Toronto (ACC and Maple Leaf Gardens) Boston Buffalo Philadelphia New Jersey (Prudential Centre) New York Islanders Atlanta Minnesota I would not consider it a good idea to act like a fool in Philly (one extreme), while you can pretty much do and say as you will in Ottawa or Toronto (the other extreme). It really depends on where you are sitting. With the lone exception being Minnesota, I always sit in the lower level. For example, I sat in Philly in the first row behind the bench for $200 US. It is so much cheaper going to a game in the US versus Canada. The crowd in the 100 level is not likely to be as rowdy as those in the 300 level or upper tiers. Last year during the playoffs it was cheaper to go to Philly and sit 5 rows behind the net then it would have been to go to Montreal and sit in the first row of the whites! Just my two cents Johnyc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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