What is it with cheering for a team because they are from Canada? Isn't that suppose to be for the Olympics?
It is a unique dynamic present only, and absolutely because there are two countries sharing the league, and one of those two likes to think (rightly or wrongly) the game belongs to them. I dont purport to rationalize it. It is nothing more than pure visceral tribalism.
Also, to expand on the 'north over south' support decision, it really all just comes down to 'who will have the bigger celebration?'. If Team X will have millions of people celebrating, causing the city core to shut down for the ensuing celebrations, while their opponent, Team Y will host a bbq in their arena parking lot with a 'rally' celebration, I am going to root for Team X.
I hope the games are entertaining, and if a certain team's style of play starts to get under my skin, my opinion will obviously be affected, but generally, I just want the people who care most to win...and maybe I only have that perspective because I am a lifetime Leafer.
So if you define Canada's team as the Canadian team which went the farthest in the playoffs, that was us in 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002. How many canadians did cheer for us?
Not concerned. I think it is adorable when people hate Toronto for no reason. It is just jealousy. I don't hold it against them.