We are now just hours away from the first face-off of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals and according to an exclusive poll conducted by Ipsos Reid for Rogers Sportsnet, the Canucks really and statistically do have the weight of Canada on their backs.
According to the poll, close to two thirds of Canadians (62%) are hoping that the Vancouver Canucks will be the first Canadian team since 1993 to bring the Stanley Cup home. Comparatively, only one in ten (11%) are cheering for a Boston Bruins victory. Just over a quarter of Canadians (27%) have no opinion.
Steve Mossop, President with Ipsos Reid in Western Canada said about the findings, “It has been 18 long years since a Canadian based NHL team has won the Stanley Cup and it looks like the country is overwhelmingly saying ‘we want it back – now the support of fans all across the country.”
As expected and as a previous poll confirmed, the support for the Canucks is strongest in British Columbia, where 83% of residents are “Canuckle Heads”.
All of Canada has jumped aboard as well. Here’s a breakdown region by region for the support for the Canucks across Canada:
• Alberta – 60%
• Saskatchewan/Manitoba – 66%
• Ontario – 63%
• Quebec – 51%
• Atlantic Canada – 57%
Really Quebec? After what the Bruins did to the Habs? Really Quebec? I guess they did want to separate.
Strangely, the Boston Bruins are finding pockets of Canucks haters who actually support them in Canada, most of that coming from Alberta (17%) and Quebec (18%), whereas only 7% of British Columbians say they are cheering for Boston. Of course, we can assume that the 17% in Alberta are Fumes, excuse me, Flames fans. Oilers fans know better.
It could be a banner year for Canadians if the Canucks win the Cup. There’s already been dancing in Canadian streets as Winnipeg received confirmation that True North will be bringing the Atlanta Thrashers franchise to town.
