I know its a little awkward coming from a San Jose Sharks fan, but I really don’t want to see the Anaheim Mighty Ducks win this year’s Stanley Cup. Well, maybe not so awkward considering the small rivalry between the Sharks and Ducks, but still, I’d much rather see Ottawa win the whole shebang.

As someone who likes both hockey and baseball, I can sympathize with millions of Canadian hockey fans who haven’t seen the Cup belong to a Canadian team in, I believe 10 years. It’s about time they get some reward for their years of patience.

For anyone who thinks I’m overreacting, think back to 1992-93 when the Toronto Blue Jays won the World Series and were dominant in a division that also has two of America’s most celebrated teams: the Sox and the Yanks. Maybe this sentiment was not shared where you lived at that time, but I know I heard and ready many upset remarks about America’s national pastime being controlled by a team from up north.

Given that I understand that 90% of the people outside of southern California who will be watching the Stanley Cup Finals will be living in the Great White North, I’d love to see the Cup return “home” for at least a year.

I also like the way Ottawa has built their team, through the draft, intelligent trades, and patience. Plain and simple, I’m rooting for Ottawa… and it doesn’t help things at all that I just will never be able to bring myself to respect a team… any team whose origins trace back to a movie starring Emilo Estevez. I think the only way I could ever seriously respect the Ducks as a hockey franchise is if they were sold, moved to Canada, and completely changed their name. And even then, it would take some time for the wounds to heal.