Freed: Why do we love the Canadiens so much?

I was sprawled on my couch in my sweatpants on Thursday night, intently watching the hockey game. 

Then the Canadiens’ Nick Suzuki scored, a huge goal making it 5-3, and I leapt to my feet in joy, screaming: 

“We did it! We did it again! WE scored!” 

Note the word “WE” — not “they.”

Like fans all over the city, I felt I was somehow part of that crucial goal, although I couldn’t say exactly how.

My elation and pride at that moment was so intense you’d think I had laced up my skates, played three periods and gotten an assist on the goal.

In reality, I’d been flat on my back all night munching potato chips. My only exercise had been muting the volume button during commercials.

Also: flicking from French to English coverage to make sure the Canadiens were winning in both.

Yet when our team eventually won, I felt I had won, too, that the players’ victory was somehow my victory.

This delusion should make me sound certifiably insane. Yet in hockey-mad Montreal, it’s perfectly normal these days.

Walk downtown and you’d think the city had a citizens’ uniform code, like China once did for Mao caps.

But our city uniform is a red jersey with the letters CH, worn by every second person on Ste-Catherine St.

Students, lawyers, doctors, accountants who haven’t exercised since high school gym class — all wear our team jersey, sometimes under suit jackets.

It’s just part of the incredible frenzy that’s caught up our city: from ecstatic celebrations outside the Bell Centre to car bumper stickers, honking horns and deserted city streets from 7 p.m. until whenever the game ends.

Normally, I’m just a mild hockey fan, but lately I’ve been swept up by this thrilling group of young players and their charismatic goalie, who the Bell Centre crowd has cheered like he’s their only child.

Just why do we playoff sports fans get so personally involved in our team’s achievements? 

Why do grown adults who stay calm during personal and work crises lose their minds over a team of total strangers, with stars from places like Russia, Slovakia, Czechia and Wisconsin? 

Most players speak only English even on French TV, where hockey has special immunity status and language laws don’t apply.

So why do we care so much about them? Here is some science about fans:

1. Numerous studies find that passionate sports fans identify so closely with their team that they psychologically “merge identities” and bask in their achievements as if they were their own.

 So it’s not just the Canadiens winning, it’s you and me winning, too.

Another study found that passionate fans feel less loneliness, more self-worth and more overall life satisfaction after a win than non-fans.

And this “happiness boost” lasts for more than four days after a winning game. 

Losing does the opposite, sending fans into a funk. But studies show we recover from losses in just two days. 

So the joy of winning is double the misery of losing: a good reason to become a sports fan. 

 2: In Quebec, the passion is also passed down by our parents whose moods were also dependent on the Habs during the playoffs.

We’ve even inherited their ancient rivalries. I saw a T-shirt recently on a Montreal baby that said: “I’m only six months old, but I already hate the Leafs.”

3. Community. When watching games together, fans of every ethnicity, age and gender bond like families, sharing the same chants, sweaters and emotions. 

Even shy introverts are suddenly screaming, hugging strangers and weeping in their arms, while bellowing “Ole! Olé!” together.

I have friends who get so distraught during overtime or opponent power plays they must flee the room.

But if the Canadiens score, they come rushing back in deliriously to celebrate, like they’d won the lottery. 

By the end of the game, many fans are almost as exhausted as the players.

In cardiovascular studies of fans watching Habs games, peoples’ heart rates spiked as much as if they were competing.

So in our heads (and hearts), we are actually out there on the ice chasing pucks with our heroes.

4: Secretly, many fans feel their tribal loyalty somehow contributes to each win, whether by shouting our lungs hoarse at the TV, sitting in our lucky chair or eating the same meat loaf we did in 1993 when the Canadiens last won the Cup. 

We know sitting in that same chair may help the team win again, even if the Canadiens players don’t know it. 

Yet we’re not entirely wrong. Studies show that a winning team often creates a happier city, including higher work productivity and reduced crime in the short term.

And all this positive enthusiasm probably inspires and helps our team, too. 

So Saturday night as WE play in a dramatic Game 6, I’ll be wearing the same sweatpants and sitting in the same lucky chair I did during our last win, eating my chips and doing my part to beat Buffalo.

And you should join in. Science shows it’s good for your health, even if you have to flee the room during overtime.

So, GO HABS GO! 

We are out on the ice with you. Or close enough.

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