Chapter Text
Lily: you need to be more obvious
Jane: I was obvious.
Lily: *shared a link*
Jane: Oh. Fuck.
A Cooling Rivalry: Hollander and Rozanov Soft-Launch Their Friendship
It's a sight that should be unheard of: the Montreal Metros' #24 and the Boston Bruins' #81 photographed in the same group at a party, laughing at the same joke. For most of their careers, they could only be found in the same room when their jobs forced it. They've had a mutual hatred both personal and professional, both between their teams and individually. A year ago any fan would've called a potential friendship between the NHL's two star players impossible. But with the recent actions the two men have been taking, the idea's starting to get more and more likely.
Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander have spent the last few months "soft-launching their friendship" as internet fans have put it. At a recent event, they were seen socializing with similar people, leading to them even hanging around in the same group once or twice, something they haven't done their entire careers. Since then, a TikTok has been posted of them sharing a friendly wave, they've stopped making their usual snarky remarks about the other, and have even begun trading compliments in separate interviews.
It seems they're getting more comfortable with each other, something never guaranteed but not uncommon as rivals age and settle into their careers. Within a year, they could honest to god be friends, something no hockey fan had ever dreamed of before this.
In a move causing even more Internet buzz, in Rozanov's recent comment relating to Hollander, he decided to take a comedic turn.
"Of course I know [Hollander] personally. I get to know all of the guys I hate-f***."
—Rozanov
One of our editors, a scholar of Rozanov's career and a diehard Bruins fan isn't surprised in the slightest. "These guys are finally putting the beef to rest," he said. "And this comment in particular is what cemented to me that this isn't PR or anything like that—it's real.
"When Rozanov hates someone, he's arrogant and insulting. When he genuinely doesn't care, that's the only time you'll see him acting polite. But when he really likes a guy, it's going to be constant, incessant ribbing. If he's joking about Hollander, he's been over for dinner."
The online response has mainly shared this opinion, however, some fans have concerns that the comment instead signals a rejection of the friendship rumors, in a flippant and classic Rozanov way.
Hollander has not responded to Rozanov's recent comment, making it unclear if he's seen it yet or not. Regardless, Hollander has stayed professional, stating in a recent interview that Rozanov "is a player he has a lot of respect for, on and off the ice."
Jane: *sent a screenshot*
Jane: How is that not flirty?
Lily: oh
Lily: No.
Jane: What?
Lily: so lucky you already have a man
Jane: 😠
Iz @childofhollanov
hollanov hatefucking CONFIRMED?!?!?!
> Rozy's Wife @gaylove2481
he fucking hates us 😭
>> Iz @childofhollanov
😭😭
Iz @childofhollanov
that fuckass article i promise you none of their actual fans said theyre softlaunching a FRIENDship
> Rizza @hockluvnlife
Is that not what theyre doing?? I think its cute 😥
>> Iz @childofhollanov
open your mind rizza they are kissing on the mouth
>>> Rizza @hockluvnlife
🤯
>>> Rozy's Wife @gaylove2481
god if only 😭😭😭
Rozy's Wife @gaylove2481
the way Rozanov is literally making fun of us atp idk if im offended or proud 🥲
> Theodoree @nmbr3shayden
if he's making fun of you it means he knows hollanovs exist 🤔
>> Rozy's Wife @gaylove2481
dont feed my delusions the grippy socks are already calling me 😭😭😭
Lily: *shared a link*
Lily: still sure we don't just say it?
Jane: WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?
Jane: THEY CUT AROUND IT.
Jane: I SPECIFICALLY SAID "BEST PLAYER. BEST BODY TOO. ATHLETIC AS FUCK." AND THEY CUT AROUND IT.
Lily: what the fuck why
Lily: they're more invested in you being straight than you were
Jane: I hate this.
Lily: we can just announce it.
Jane: I guess but no.
Jane: I don't want it to be a big deal like it was with Scott Hunter. If we just ease them into it, maybe it won't even be news.
Lily: shane
Jane: Ok, it'll be news, but still.
Lily: is fine we do it your way I like flirting publicly
Jane: You tone it down and I'll tone it up, alright?
Lily: o7
Jane: What does that mean?
Lily: a salute o7777
Jane: What?
Lily: oh and best body don't think I forgot
Jane: Looking back on it I may have been slightly exaggerating.
Lily: shane.
Jane: You and I both know there's a lot of hot players in the league.
Lily: so you disagree with best body
Jane: Potentially.
Lily: a shame .I was going to fuck you about it
Jane: I'm sorry.
Jane: Wait.
Jane: Please.
Oz @montreallygay
"the best player" hollander are you a metros fan or not stand UP
> Rizza @hockluvnlife
tbf he was specifically NOT allowed to give any of the titles to himself
>> Oz @montreallygay
ok?? still mustve been at fucking gunpoint to give it to rozanov
> Rozy's Wife @gaylove2481
he's just proud of his boyfriend 🥺
>> Oz @montreallygay
don't even joke i would never forgive him 😭
>>> Rozy's Wife @gaylove2481
homophobe.
>>>> Oz @montreallygay
girl what im literally gay
> Theodoree @nmbr3shayden
there fully friends now do u live under a rock
>> Oz @montreallygay
rozanov made ONE JOKE and hollander said two things that were BARELY compliments and now theyre secret best friends ok. literally why would they fucking hide that. they hate each other just as much as their real fans do.
>>> Theodoree @nmbr3shayden
"why would they keep their friendship secret" 🫠🫠
Theodoree @nmbr3shayden
shane and hayden are dating and the only one who knows is there two best friends me and ilya rozanov
> Iz @childofhollanov
happy for you 🥲
> Rizza @hockluvnlife
no cuz i dont even care abt shipping but im already obsessed with the idea of them being besties
>> Theodoree @nmbr3shayden
platonic hollanov will cure the world of all evil
Iz @childofhollanov
hollander openly praising rozanov?? "best player, athletic as fuck" ohhhh i prayed for days like these
> fern @fifthchildofshayden
he stated objective facts. baby the bar is on the fucking floor 😭
>> Iz @childofhollanov
T-T
>> Theodoree @nmbr3shayden
poor hollanovs its rough out here for them
>>> fern @fifthchildofshayden
not a day goes by where im not reminded how much better it is to be a shayden
>>>> Iz @childofhollanov
god gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers 😌
Lily: I swear I wasn't even trying to flirt this time
Lily: they take everything I say and make it gay. like you but opposite.
Theodoree @nmbr3shayden
oh god someone check on iz immediately
> Theodoree @nmbr3shayden
@fifthchildofshayden @fifthchildofshayden @fifthchildofshayden
Iz @childofhollanov
is he actually fucking with me.
Iz @childofhollanov
@realrozanov81 do you hate me specifically?
> Rizza @hockluvnlife
i'm so confused isn't this good for you? 💔
>> fern @fifthchildofshayden
she is feeling many different emotions.
Ela @bostonqueeenof
Why rozanov's "gay jokes" are homophobic, a 🧵
> Theodoree @nmbr3shayden
dude what 😭😭😭
>> Ela @bostonqueeenof
Read my fucking dni hollanovs aren't fucking welcome here
>>> Theodoree @nmbr3shayden
i'm not even a hollanov???
Rozy's Wife @gaylove2481
ive been gone for a day whats happening why is the tl in flames
>> Rozy's Wife @gaylove2481
he said WHAT
[clip begins]
*Ilya Rozanov sits behind a metal table, fidgeting his fingers and shifting his weight restlessly. One hand is resting on the table, a straps on his fingers connected to wires leading off-screen.*
Interviewer (off-screen): You've been speaking oddly nice about Hollander recently. What do you really think of him?
*Rozanov shrugs, fidgeting and looking down at the table.*
Rozanov: I just think he is good guy. Good at hockey. Nice and boring. Will make good father to children.
*Cut to a man sitting next to a lie detector machine. He nods.*
Man: He's telling the truth.
[clip cuts]
Jane: Why would you say that?
Lily: everyone is implying the my. I meant children. just in general. not my children.
Lily: well that too
Jane: Shut up.
Jane: Ilya, that is so fucking bad. You're lucky we're not trying to hide it anymore holy shit.
Lily: sorry 😢
Jane: It's ok but Jesus, tone it down, alright?
Lily: …
Lily: have you thought
Lily: is actually fucking hilarious
Jane: No. It's not.
Lily: *sent a screenshot*
[image of an article from a gossip site. headline reads: Rozanov's Gay Unrequited Crush On Hollander (Yes We're Serious)]
Jane: Fuck.
Jane: It kind of is.