An age-old debate is rearing its ugly head once again.

Contrary to popular belief, just because a Canadian team is taking part in the Stanley Cup Final this year, it doesn’t mean that you have to feel obligated to pledge your allegiance to them.

Tell that to Boston Pizza, though. The restaurant chain crafted an entire campaign this postseason aimed at uniting the nation as one —instead of seven individual fan bases. It hasn’t really connected, but it sure has produced some visceral reaction.

Utter nonsense.

The joke’s on them, however. Real fans in this country support one team —theirs. That’s it, that’s all. None of this band wagon business. If you know, you know.

Put it this way: If the Leafs were in the Stanley Cup Final, would the rest of the country be quick to jump aboard the blue and white express? Absolutely not. In fact, they would probably root for the opponent in attempt to troll us. People love doing that for some reason.

This isn’t about patriotism, it’s about allegiance. If you’re a Leafs fan, you’re a Leafs fan. Plain and simple. It applies to other sports and other cities as well. You would never find a supporter of the New York Yankees or the Dallas Cowboys cheering for another squad. That’s just the way it goes —regardless of how good or bad the team is.

It’s been 31 painful years since a Canadian team last hoisted Lord Stanley. If it’s not the Leafs ending the drought, then let the nation-wide struggle continue. If you’re cheering for them, you don’t have a favourite team. Anybody outside of Edmonton should care less who comes away victorious over the course of the next few weeks. Furthermore, if the Edmonton Oilers do end up winning, it should leave a bitter taste in our collective mouths. Then again, they’re playing the Florida Panthers, so it’s not like the other option is any better. Suffice it is to say, the Cats have been a thorn in Toronto’s side in recent memory.

And still, it would probably be easier to cope with a Panthers victory than it would be to watch another city in this country have a parade.

The Edmonton Oilers are not Canada’s team. Case closed.