USA, Canada rivalry has evolved over time

I found an interesting story on nhl.com today about the "Border War" as they are calling it between USA and Canada regarding hockey. The article starts by talking about how this rivalry goes back "to the days when there only were six NHL teams, the Original Six and though 95 percent of the players were Canadians, two-thirds of the teams were based in American cities. In those days, NHL scouts would check on American players only if absolutely forced to and U.S.-born skaters would be greeted with dismissive gestures, if not derogatory comments, from their Canadian teammates upon entering NHL dressing rooms". I found that pretty interesting, because I sometimes like to believe that Canadians would not do things such as make derogatory comments to Americans, especially in "our" sport! This article also talks about how this rivalry is often related to, or "wrapped up in geopolitics as well and the unique relationship between two bordering countries that couldn't be more alike and friendly in most ways. The larger nation to the north traditionally has been a bit wary, if not envious, of the military, political and cultural clout of the far more populous nation south of the 49th Parallel".
Check out the article! It's getting me even more excited for the Canada/USA game tomorrow!

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=518285&navid=DL|NHL|home