Cam Ward, I freaking hate you.

I love goalies. I love goalies so much that I can't understand why every one's favorite players aren't goalies. I love everything about goalies from their pads to their quirks.

For the first time, I hate a goalie. I've never hated a goalie. I don't even truly hate the Elroy-looking/pushing-his-own-net-off-of-the-moorings/crying-about-no-recognition Osgood. Now admittedly by most standards, I'm a new comer. I've been following hockey for about 8 years and I've been a goalie nut for about 5 ever since I saw my beloved Pasi Nurminen (all time favorite goalie) throw a fit.

Welcome to the fiery pit of my hate, Cam Ward.

Why do I hate Wardo? He's extremely good looking.





Though he plays for a division rival, it IS a southern hockey team and I'm a huge proponent of southern hockey.




He's a fantastic goalie. He has won a string of accolades including:

* Top Goaltender in the AMHL
* WHL East First All STar Team
* WHL East Second All Star Team
* WHL Goaltender of the year
* WHL Player of the Year
* Canadian Major Junior Goaltender of the Year
* AHL Rookie Team




In 2006 he carried the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup and won the Conn Smythe.





The Hurricanes have been a constant thorn in my side this year. They gave my Moose big time trouble in a game this season.






We drove SIX HOURS to the RBC Center and watched him shut my Thrashers out.





We drove SIX HOURS AGAIN to the RBC Center and they shut my Devils out.





Cam Ward is part of the team that gave me my first sports heart break. I went to all but 3 Thrashers home games this year, I know despair! I've sat through games (Boston, Philly) that made me feel like I got kicked in the stomach. Game 7 of the Devils/Hurricanes was stunning. It made me physically ill. I couldn't even bear to read anything about it the next day. I'm STILL not over it.

Last night I'm watching the Canes vs the Bruins and the Bruins aren't doing so well. At 00.2 Chad LaRose, who I've been cursing for weeks, put a shot on goal that they had to review. It ultimately wasn't ruled a goal, but it was tedious enough to fuel my rage. All night I hear "WHAT A SAVE BY WARD" over and over.

*SNAP* I hate you Cam Ward.

Will the hate subside? I don't know. I'm a sucker for goalies, I can't help it. As of right now though, I hate you Wardo.