Sharon and John enjoy a rare moment at a Canucks/Leafs hockey game.

It's a strange attraction. But despite their inability to reconcile their on-ice differences, they have managed to develop an inseparable bond of love and friendship. They shouldn't even be compatible, yet they have found a way to overcome their volatile sports rivalry. However, their families are another matter.

"I could never tell my dad that Sharon is a Canucks fan," said John, whose family has rooted for the blue and white for three generations. "He'd disown me! And I'm certain that former team owner Harold Ballard would turn over in his grave if he knew I was sleeping with a Vancouverite."

Sharon's family is completely intolerant of the Toronto Maple Leafs, or anyone that cheers for the arrogant Eastern Canadian team.

"My parents would lose all respect for me if they knew John was Leafs fan," admitted Sharon. "Their western Canadian philosophies would not be able to accept a man who comes from the city self-proclaimed as the centre of the universe."

While the two cities are thousands of kilometres apart, the couple is closer than the Sedin twins in a pee-wee penalty box.

"I don't know why I'm attracted to John," said Sharon. "Yes, he's kind, intelligent, and good with children--but his favourite all-time hockey player is Darryl bloody Sittler! How can I love a man who places false hopes in an idea that Toronto is destined to win the Stanley Cup? He's delusional, yet I still adore him."

John has been able to work around his hatred of the Vancouver hockey franchise for the sake of the woman he loves, although he still doesn't completely understand her attraction...to the Canucks.

"Sharon is a beautiful woman," said John. "She's sweet, generous, caring--everything I've ever looked for in a companion. But she's not willing to accept Toronto into her heart. She insists on hanging that autographed Stan Smyl replica jersey in the rec room, she doesn't let me wear my retro Leafs ball cap out in public with her, and she won't accept that Mats Sundin is a better player than Markus Naslund."

"I just don't understand her loyalty to the Vancouver franchise," questioned John. "There's no legacy, no history. Hell, they only came into the league in 1970!"

Fortunately, since the two teams live in different time zones, there's hardly ever any controversy over which game to watch on Hockey Night in Canada. On most Saturdays, the teams will be playing at separate times.

"If both beams are playing at the same time, we compromise and watch a [Montreal] Canadiens game," said Sharon. "At least that's a team we can both agree to hate."