Author Archives: Clarke Corsan

Things to Know if You’re a ‘Fairweather’ Canucks Fan

Posted on by
Reply

 

(photo by Ric Ernst / Province)

(photo by Ric Ernst / Province)

For the first time in a decade, Vancouver is buzzing with the thrill of meaningful playoff hockey. The Canucks’ first-round victory over Nashville has sent the city into overdrive, and even those who don’t usually call themselves Canucks fans are caught up in the excitement.

These newfound fans are what we call “fairweather fans” – folks who hop on the bandwagon when the team starts winning. Don’t get them confused with true bandwagon fans, who jump ship from team to team – those are much worse!

Now, you might get a few snarky comments from the diehard fans who feel like they’ve earned their stripes after enduring a decade of disappointment. (Guilty as charged, though I reserve my worst taunts for Leafs and Oilers fans.) But if you’re going to jump on the Canucks train after the rest of us suffered through 10 years of mediocrity and are now being joined in the revel by those who’ve never heard of Travis Green- who am I to stop you? (Did I say that out loud?)

Seriously, it’s a fantastic time to be a fan, and the boys need all the support they can get. So, here’s your crash course on blending in – some basic Canucks fan philosophies that’ll take the heat off you until Tyler Myers inevitably does something to make everyone scream. Let’s dive in:

  • The refs are out to get us. It doesn’t matter how many penalties we rack up or whether the calls are actually fair – the refs are biased against the Canucks. Period. Get used to that, and you’re golden.
  • Time to be an armchair GM. After a loss, it’s necessary and generally encouraged to abandon all sense of rationality and start suggesting how the team can do better. We’re the experts, and the Canucks front office would be lost without our brilliant insights. Welcome to the chorus of passionate (and often slightly delusional) voices in the Canucks media world.
  • Elias Pettersson… what happened? Okay, this one’s real. Our superstar hasn’t been himself lately. He was especially buns in the first round of the playoffs with just 3 points in 6 games. We just signed him to an 8 year, 11.8 million dollar contract as well- we’re starting to get into the worry zone with that one.

Besides that, just do your best not to riot if the Canucks happen to lose. Memorize these, and you’ll fit right in! Best of luck, and Go Canucks Go!

“Go Team Go”? Canucks Fans Push TransLink to Bring Back Iconic Message

Posted on by
Reply

Vancouver’s playoff fever is at an all-time high as the Canucks battle it out in the postseason, now in round 2 after downing the Nashville Predators in round 1. But while fans flock to Rogers Arena or pack bars to cheer on their team, some noticed a curious change on TransLink buses. The once-familiar “Go Canucks Go” message had been replaced with the generic “Go Team Go”.

The change left fans perplexed. A TransLink spokesperson explained that the buses are limited in the number of messages they can display, and “Go Canucks Go” might exclude other local teams like the Vancouver Whitecaps and BC Lions. This decision stems from a change made years ago.

The Canucks-specific message was a familiar sight during the team’s 2011 glory days and was welcomed without complaint. Similar messages like “Go Whitecaps Go” and “Go Canada Go” (during the 2010 Winter Olympics) have also adorned the buses in the past.

Despite the explanation, fans aren’t thrilled about the generic message. TransLink says they still support the Canucks with initiatives like encouraging operators to wear jerseys and the use of Canucks PA announcer Al Murdoch on SkyTrain. But, for many, it’s not quite the same as seeing that iconic message scrolling across their bus.

A TransLink bus in downtown Vancouver during the 2012 playoffs (ascotscanadianadventure.wordpress.com)

Fans Win: TransLink Responds to the Backlash

The outpouring of disappointment on social media didn’t go unnoticed. TransLink swiftly responded, poking fun at themselves with a tweet saying, “Go Team Go! (Don’t worry, we’re changing it.)”

A TransLink spokesperson confirmed the return of “Go Canucks Go” as a display option for bus drivers. While the exact timeline is unclear, this news, accompanied by the Canucks’ series win over the Preds, has sent positive vibes throughout the city.

While it may seem like a small change, the “Go Canucks Go” message has become a symbol of civic pride and community excitement during playoff season. Its absence sparked a sense that something was missing in the city’s support for its biggest sports team. TransLink’s quick response and willingness to reinstate the message shows they recognize the importance of these symbols for fostering a sense of shared spirit and demonstrates the power of fan voices.

Revisiting the Vancouver Canucks 2011 Playoff Run

Posted on by
Reply

We finally made it. The Vancouver Canucks have won their first playoff series since the 2019-2020 bubble-run (Covid playoffs), but really it’s been 11 years since the boys won a legitimate playoff series. That came back in 2011, after Alex Burrows infamously ‘slayed the dragon’ in round 1, they would go on to the Cup finals only to fall short to Boston in game 7. 

Vancouver has made the playoffs a handful of times since then, but failed to win a round until now. 

The buzz around the city is palpable, as fans get their first taste of playoffs in over a decade. With this recent wave of success, let’s revisit the 2011 cup run and relive some (not all, for obvious reasons) of those wonderful moments during the Canucks’ best shot at the cup to date. 

Round 1: Alex Burrows lands the final blow against Chicago in game 7. Vancouver took a 3-0 series lead only to lose the next 3 and needed overtime in game 7 to win the series. 

Round 2: The emergence of Ryan Kesler as a playoff superstar. Kesler is widely viewed as instrumental in getting the Canucks past Nashville, their second-round opponent during the 2011 run. The two-way forward earned the nickname “Beast Mode” after racking up five goals and 11 points in the six games it took the team to down the Predators.

Round 3: The stanchion bounce. Kevin Bieksa is the only one on the ice who knows where the puck is, and slams one home in double OT to win the series in 5 against the San Jose Sharks. 

Chills. 

Round 4: Of course, the series against Boston is one to forget. Although that series went to 7 games, the Canucks were barely in it the whole way. Each game they won was by the skin of their teeth, and Boston was handing them blowouts in their wins. Failing to even score a goal in game 7, they lost 4-0 and the Bruins took the cup back to New England. Unfortunately, Canucks fans are best known today for the havoc that ensued after the game. 

But we can help change that. We’ve been given an opportunity to show how passionate Canucks fans can be disruptive but not destructive. Cheer on the boys & if they lose, don’t burn a car. Let’s go Canucks. 

The Voice Within: Do We All Have More to Say?

Posted on by
Reply

Have you ever felt like the “real you” was hiding just beneath the surface? That there were words, thoughts, or a whole personality locked away, waiting to break free? The idea of a hidden voice is something I’ve wrestled with for years.

Growing up, I was the quiet kid. In class, my hand rarely shot up. At parties, you’d find me in the corner, not the center. Was that just my nature? Or was I scared to let my true self be heard? I’ve always wondered whether everyone is capable of singing and it’s a matter of refinement, or if some people just ‘have it’?

Then came college, with its promise of transformation. I joined a debate club, forcing myself to speak despite clammy hands and a racing heart. I took a writing class where the professor praised my “distinctive voice,” a phrase I’d never heard before. Did that voice exist all along, muffled by nerves?

The more I experiment, the more I believe in the untapped potential within us, Especially in BCIT’s Radio Arts & Entertainment program. I see friends who are timid in conversation but fierce writers on social media. I meet classmates who seem reserved but come alive on stage in theater productions. Is it that we have multiple voices, or one voice that can manifest in countless ways?

It’s a question without an easy answer. Psychologists might talk about personality facets or conditioned behaviors. Artists might point to creativity and the urge to express ourselves in different mediums. My personal theory? We’re all carrying a symphony of voices inside, some bold and brassy, others soft and hesitant. It’s about finding the right instruments to play them on.

The quest for my own “hidden voice” has been messy. There have been awkward speeches, cringe-worthy posts, and those moments where I still shrink back instead of speaking out. But there have also been breakthroughs – the unexpected surge of eloquence during a first impression, the surprising wit I find when writing a funny text, the sense of connection when my words resonate with someone else.

I may never fully unlock every voice I harbor, but I’m determined to keep searching. Because I believe the real adventure isn’t about becoming a different person. It’s about discovering all the ways you can be the person you already are, just with the volume turned up a little higher.

The Rise of the “Chaos Curator”: Decoding TikTok’s Newest Trend

Posted on by
Reply

Scrolling through TikTok is like getting dropped into a high-energy carnival. You’ve got your dance crazes, viral pranks, and the strangely satisfying videos that trigger your ASMR. But lately, there’s a new breed of creator taking over the FYP (For You Page): the Chaos Curator. Why they’re showing up or where they came from remains to be discovered. 

These creators don’t follow the typical polished, curated content formula. Instead, they thrive on the messy, unexpected, and often unhinged. Think: impromptu dance-offs in the grocery store, bizarre food combinations, or deliberately awkward public interactions—all documented with a chaotic energy.

Why the sudden surge in chaos? Perhaps it’s a rebellion against the perfectly filtered Instagram aesthetic. In a world obsessed with appearances and impressions, these creators offer an unvarnished and hilariously relatable alternative. You can’t help but laugh, both at them and at yourself for recognizing something familiar in their antics. There’s something about tapping into our rebellious nature by provoking and condoning what would generally be perceived as unusual behavior, many of us have a hard time being our true selves in public due to fear of perception. These videos are a glimpse into an untamed, standard-less society. With no rules to adhere to, we would witness the raw humanity of every individual.

“Cringe culture is constantly evolving as trends fall in and out of style. An example of this phenomenon is Japanese anime, which was recently popularized in the US by celebrities like Megan Thee Stallion and Michael B. Jordan.”- The Spectator

Some call it “cringey.” Others term it authentic and liberating. Regardless, the Chaos Curator is here to stay. They’re pushing the boundaries of entertainment, reminding us that it’s okay to be a little weird, a little messy, and to have a whole lot of fun in the process.

So, the next time you encounter a TikTok that makes you double-take and ask, “what did I just watch?”, remember – it might not be random. It might just be the art of chaos, expertly curated. Welcome to the age of unpredictable, unfiltered, and undeniably hilarious entertainment – and it’s only going to get wilder from here.