Vancouver Canucks 'bandwagon' fans come out for NHL playoffs

For hockey fans, springtime means the NHL playoffs are here. With the weather heating up and flowers coming into bloom, there's one morething set to make an appearance: Localsjumping onto the Canucks bandwagon.

The VancouverCanucksface their first playoff game this season,against their Western Canadian rivals the Calgary Flames, on Wednesday.

But while an inflated fanbase is a good thing for bars, restaurants and local businesses, it's not always a welcome sight for some of the more avidCanucksfollowers.

"Every team experiencesbandwagoners, but I find in Vancouver it's more apparent," says Mickey Ng, a Canucksfan since 1993. "I'm not too fond of them.Where were they for the last 82 games?"

Interest in this year's playoff run will be aided by the fact that the team failed to qualify last season. That year-long hiatus is dwarfed by theCalgary Flameswho will be playing in their first playoff gamesince 2009.

The more the merrier?

While some of the more strict followers won't be thrilled to share their team with less experienced fans, others see it as an opportunity to increase the excitement in the city.

"The bandwagoners make the discussions more fun. It certainly makes it more interesting," JJ Guerrero, the founder of Canucks Hockey Blog told CBC.

"When it comes to this time of the year, you can't deny the chance for fans to cheer on their team."

The Vancouver Canucks face the Calgary Flames on April 15 at Rogers Arena. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. PTon CBC TV.

To hear more about the Canucksfan fever, listen to the audio labelled:Vancouver Canucks bandwagon fans come out for NHL playoffs.

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