PunBB

MORE ON THE MAPLE LEAFS

Let's go SAT style on this: the Leafs are to Toronto as the Sox are to Boston, Yanks to NYC, Canadiens to Montreal, Bills to Buffalo, and Packers to Wisconsin. I'm probably leaving someone out, but I can't think of another North American sports franchise that is as important and tied into the very essence of living in a particular place as these teams. The Leafs are discussed by, and in the psyche of, EVERYBODY in Toronto and the surrounding area. This represents somewhere around 25-30 percent of Canada's population. You cannot escape this no matter where you work; if you are a man or woman; young or old; at home, at school, at a dive bar or at Tiffany's. For a long time they were the only show in town where gloomy frigid winters dominate and that, until about 20 years ago, had Prohibition-style bans on serving booze after certain hours, Sunday shopping, etc. So, like Sox fans until 2004, we too have multigenerational neurotic issues with the Leafs. Oh yeah, for our last Cup we had to overcome a curse involving a plane crash and a missing body. This became a great song by the Tragically Hip.

It has now been 43 years and this entire town has been crying in their drinks the whole time. The Leafs need to be top five.
--Mike C., Toronto

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Except that Fifty Mission Cap wasn't based on our last cup...Bill Barilko was discovered in 1962...last time I checked our last cup was won in 1967.

And while on the issue of Leaf fans in Toronto...I was playing shinny last night at Nathan Phillip's Square in the heart of downtown...and out of all 10-15 players, I was the only Leafs fan. It was disappointing, really. There were more Habs fans than Leafs fans.

That's because habs fans actally like hockey, leafs fans just like the leafs and team canada occasionally.

The Darkest Canuck Wrote:That's because habs fans actally like hockey, leafs fans just like the leafs and team canada occasionally.

I supposed I stepped into that one. There is truth in that...I find it harder and harder to find true leaf fans that actually enjoy watching non-leaf games. But if you do, you know you found a rarity.

I love hockey in general. I find my love of the leafs to be a curse. I'd rather be cheering for Calgary, Boston or Chicago mainly. In fact, the only one of those jerseys I don't have is chicago. But with my liking of the new third jersey that might change quickly.

If there's a game on that looks good, I'll watch it. Especially something like Washington vs. Pittsburgh or Rangers vs Devils. I think two of my favourite to watch are Calgary vs Edmonton and Edmonton vs. Dallas. At least till this year. The oilers aren't doing well at all.

But I am a rarity amongst my leaf fan friends. When I ask if they saw "the game" last night, I usually get back "the leafs didn't play last night."

I only know of one other like me. But he's a Habs fan. Go figure. :lol: