If the Leafs lose in Game 7, will you stop being a fan?

[The Best Leafs Ever]

Not a chance in this lifetime. It's hard for sure but I just bleed blue maybe more blue than our players.

 

[Skiskate]

Ill still somewhat watch but just care less. After the last two years i just started watching box scores alot more. Living out west im pretty excited to start watching Seattle anyway.

 

[Brown Dog]

I've become immune to the heartbreak, Boston game 7 did it for me, nothing beats that.

Jeremy Roenik, Carolina, Boston, Columbus, been there done that.

This one is different, we were up 3-1, heavy favourites, against the Habs, but the Leafs have trained me well for their inevitable collapses.

It's pretty crazy to think of all the crazy (sometimes just downright wacky and improbable) heartbreak we Leaf fans have experienced in the over 30 years I've been a fan.

• 1993 - Gretzky no-call on high stick then scores winner in Game 6 of conference finals
• 1999 - Leafs meet Sabres in ECF; Hasek injured and misses Game 1 but Leafs lose to backup Dwayne Roloson and drop the series in 6
• 2000 - Leafs are held to just 6 shots in shutout loss in decisive Game 6 vs. NJ in Round 2
• 2001 - Domi elbows Niedermayer at end of Game 4 win in Round 2 vs. NJ; Leafs lose momentum and the series in 7
• 2002 - Sundin scores with 23 seconds left to tie Game 6 in ECF vs. Carolina; lose in OT anyway and eliminated
• 2003 - Doug Gilmour suffers career-ending injury in first game after returning to Leafs at trade deadline
• 2004 - Leafs stage dramatic 3rd period comeback from down 2-0 vs. Flyers in Game 6 of second round to force OT; lose in OT anyway, eliminated
• 2006 - Leafs begin streak of 7 straight years out of the postseason entirely (and 10 out of 11)
• 2007 - Wade Dubliewicz beats NJ in a shootout to knock Leafs out of playoffs on last day of the season
• 2009 - Trading 2 top 1st rounders for Phil Kessel at the dawn of an era of utter futility
• 2012 - Leafs fall out of playoff race losing 10 of 11 at end of Ron Wilson era (original 18-wheeler going off the cliff)
• 2013 - Historic 3-goal 3rd period collapse in Game 7 in Boston; lose in OT
• 2014 - Losing 12 of final 14 games to fall out of the playoffs at the very end
• 2017 - Losing 4 one-goal games (including 3 in OT) to Washington in Round 1
• 2019 - Blowing 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2 series leads to Boston in 2019; lose in 7 to Bruins for the second year in a row (Kadri suspended in both)
• 2020 - Scoring 3 goals with goalie pulled to tie Columbus in Game 4 of play-in round and win in OT only to get shutout in decisive Game 5
• 2021 - Back-to-back multi-goal 3rd period comebacks vs. MTL in Games 5 and 6 only to lose in OT in both

This is to say nothing of other embarrassments, like the David Ayers game, Tavares's return to Long Island, the Muskoka 5 refusing to waive NTCs...

And then you think of all the moments of playoff heroics. Yes, we've had some, but when I think of my favourite playoff memories, we're talking about Nikolai Borschevsky's OT winner in Round 1 (Round 1!!!) and the original Foligno Flop against DET almost 30 years ago...Dougie Gilmour's wraparound vs. STL...those Battle of Ontario wins in the Quinn era. That's about it. The rest (like Sundin's equalizer vs. Carolina, Kapanen and Bozak scoring OT winners vs. Washington, Matthews capping the epic comeback in Game 4 vs. CLB) were all in series we ultimately ended up losing.

We desperately need some new positive memories!!

 

[DarkKnight]

28 percent of us are liars. If you’re still here after what we’ve been through as fans, you’re a lifer. There is no cure, don’t kid yourself.

 

[PromisedLand]

Won't stop being a fan but unless the management does something meaningful or even better MLSE cleans house with Shanahan and Dubas

I am probably not going to invest my time in following the team as long as dubas+shanahan are here.

I do not believe in shanaplan anymore when dubas became the primary stakeholder in that plan and effed the leafs with ridiculous overpayments and stupid strategic moves

 

[Man Bear Pig]

I've been a fan since the late 80's, if I havent given up since then, it's not going to happen.

 

[michi510]

Will still be a proud leaf fan no matter what happens, but a lost tomorrow will be new a new low point. You can’t make this stuff up if they choke a 3-1 series lead and lose another game 7. This franchise is cursed if it happens.

Watching the avs and I’m thinking to myself why can’t Leafs play like that? They definitely have skilled players… it’s a matter of desire and will.

My wife who’s not a sports fan asked me why I do this every year to disappoint myself. She’s finding it comical now and chirps me jokingly.

 

[The Apologist]

Every dissapointing end of the season has this thread and everyone says they will 'take a break'. Then its october and those same people are back here. Unless the summer IS the break but in that case you dont miss much. And most fans here are more passionate than the average fan, so saying they will be more 'passive' is like an alcoholic saying they will 'cut back', it never works like that.

I swore I'd never watch again after CBus but here I am. Sadly I will not be watching Monday night. I will be cheering for them but I'm afraid my mind has already accepted the loss. Watching it happen TO THE HABS would just be too much. It would mean a summer of never ending mocking for a fanbase that already endures so much trolling that anything outside our very own board is completely toxic for us. The sports channels would become unwatchable, the print media would become even more unbearable, I truly believe this would make the Kessel years look like one big Kumbaya sing along.

 

[The Apologist]

Define "fan"

Emotionally, I'm burnt out. I've watched almost every single game since 2006, read and post here almost every day, listen and watch a lot of hockey media. I spend tens of hours a week on hockey. It's my main hobby. My job is stressful and requires long hours both on and off the clock. If this year is just another sensational collapse, I don't have the emotional energy to continue engaging this hobby with this amount of dedication, no. My job gives my life enough stress without pursuing a "for fun" hobby that's not actually fun. I actively cheer for this team. It may be time to passively cheer for them instead.

I think you literally just put my thoughts into the perfect words. Life sucks enough without hating hockey too.

 

[Chief Berube]

28 percent of us are liars. If you’re still here after what we’ve been through as fans, you’re a lifer. There is no cure, don’t kid yourself.

I don’t know how I can leave this team. My life revolves around this team but at one point when do we learn to not let it ruin our days. I’ve spent way to many days depressed because of what this team does....like I’m the one losing but really they’re the losers. We are all leafs inside though... which makes this so much harder because we’re so deep in this that we can’t ever leave. I will be with this team forever but I want to stop feeling that shame when they lose. I walk with my head down sometimes because I take it personally when we lose important games. I was at the zamboni game last year and I drove home quietly with my wife while she tried to sheer me up but she couldn’t...I thought that was the lowest we could go but here we are when it actually matters again... feeling worse. Man when will we finally be happy? 1 round? Cause I am sure if we win tomorrow next series will be another experience we may get effected by. Being a leafs fan may be the hardest. But then again you could be a Sabers or Oiler fans. I’ll take the leafs any day

 

[Gallagbi]

I swore I'd never watch again after CBus but here I am. Sadly I will not be watching Monday night. I will be cheering for them but I'm afraid my mind has already accepted the loss. Watching it happen TO THE HABS would just be too much. It would mean a summer of never ending mocking for a fanbase that already endures so much trolling that anything outside our very own board is completely toxic for us. The sports channels would become unwatchable, the print media would become even more unbearable, I truly believe this would make the Kessel years look like one big Kumbaya sing along.

Honestly, I think it's past the point where it even matters that it's to the Habs. Most Habs fans know it's not about their team at this point, it's a question of whether this core folds or not. Wouldn't matter if it was Arizona at this point

 

[Mr_Fun]

I'll only watch next year if Marner plays with a bag over his head.

 

[therealkoho]

Voted yes. If they lose tomorrow, the only thing that would make me a fan again would be blowing up the organization from top to bottom, and starting completely from scratch (no staff member or player should be safe from firings/trades).

Cleats you're a diehard lifer, you'll always be a Leafer

 

[Sniper99]

No. Waking up to something like Dubas trading Matthews would make me consider it if he ever did something that stupid in the offseason. No, the cup will come here one day. I loved watching the fan reaction videos of the Cubs winning the world series 2016 and seeing some of the elderly fans reactions to them winning and how they stuck around through all the shitty years. I have a feeling that will probably be me.

I voted No and had a good laugh at all the people who voted yes and I was like "see you guys next season" cause you know you'll definitely see these guys back.

 

[saffronleaf]

I don’t know how I can leave this team. My life revolves around this team but at one point when do we learn to not let it ruin our days. I’ve spent way to many days depressed because of what this team does....like I’m the one losing but really they’re the losers. We are all leafs inside though... which makes this so much harder because we’re so deep in this that we can’t ever leave. I will be with this team forever but I want to stop feeling that shame when they lose. I walk with my head down sometimes because I take it personally when we lose important games. I was at the zamboni game last year and I drove home quietly with my wife while she tried to sheer me up but she couldn’t...I thought that was the lowest we could go but here we are when it actually matters again... feeling worse. Man when will we finally be happy? 1 round? Cause I am sure if we win tomorrow next series will be another experience we may get effected by. Being a leafs fan may be the hardest. But then again you could be a Sabers or Oiler fans. I’ll take the leafs any day

I know I'm a hypocrite because I'm among the worst for overreacting and bitching on here. And I know we all have many things going on in our lives.

But sometimes it's good to take a step back and realize... if a hockey team is what's bringing you down... your life is probably good in general.

Recently had some serious health issue affect my mom. And yea I still come on here and bitch and overreact like usual. But it just gives you so much perspective. I still fall back on old habits on HF and Twitter, but outside of it, these bigger worries just occupy so much mindspace. Watched game 6 with my mom and frankly the game was on the back of my mind, because at a certain point it's about being there for the people you love and spending time with them. Hockey just becomes entertainment in the background, an interest you share, something to chat about.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

No way in hell. I’m stuck here, for better or for worse lol

 

[ThrowDemTongs]

Yes but only until next season starts.

It's going to be considerably harder to find the motivation to really get into it for a while.

 

[Alamo Leafer]

No, but I sure as heck won't stick my neck out for the Blue & White like I have been for over 4 decades, specially here where I live, in the Belle province surrounded by both the habs & turd fans, & I certainly won't cough up $220/yr for NHL CI pkg just to watch these bozos.

Win a cup, I'll jump back on the wagon. Yes, I'll be a proud band-wagoner from that point forward.

Anyone calling me &/or others like me who have endured so much all these years, "un-true fans" can kiss my hairy a$$.

 

[Leaf Fans]

If they loose I will as "Awww "and be sad for 5seconds and then look forward to the next game. If they win, I will say " hooray" and look forward to the next game.

 

[Seath The Scaleless]

Absolutely not. Bleed blue until my heart stops beating, but it seems like I'm becoming numb to losing lol.
I know I'll be laughing if we lose tonight because, well, it's funny rather than sad at this point.

It took the White Sox 88 years before they won again in 2005.
It took the Cubs 108 years before they won in 2016.

Stick with your team. It'll be worth it one day.....I hope for everyone.

 

[FlareKnight]

No telling in a lot of ways. But if they legitimately screw this up...I'm going to make an effort. There's just no point caring about the expansion draft, free agency, draft, and a whole 82 game schedule after seeing them blow it against a team that isn't all that good.

Will it last? I have no idea. Not like this team is something easily dropped, all the more so with friends/family that will at least keep me clued in on what is going on. But I can happily dedicate time to other things going on in my life and other hobbies. The Leafs have been a big part of much of my life. But this feels like a point where I'd have to draw the line and enjoy other things more.

Fingers crossed they manage not to blow it. Would be much happier to be pleasantly surprised by this team rather than disappointed.

 

[Cobra777]

I can stomach losing a tad more easily if after the games that I can honestly say that they came out of the gate with an unquestionable work ethic right to the end, battled for every puck and finished every check like the young current Ottawa squad. Man these guys work every game and buy into it, although not totally successful at the moment they do give fine teams fits. If we had that work minded ethic this team would do damage.

I do not see that in our team and see alot of complacency and spurts of what this team can do at times. How can you come out FLAT at the start of games 5 and 6 and get outplayed being the better team with no push back until 2nd or 3rd periods and overtime and expect to win? Yea I know the Habs are desperate but so should we after losing constantly and take the bull by the horns and finish, but oh no they come out flat not skating or laying seige and putting pressure on them as if it was a regular season game and are then full of excuses post game interviews.

How many 1st round exits will it take for these players to actually get pissed off at losing and do what's freakin necessary to win games like coming out of the gate ready with killer instinct to get this damn monkey off their back?

I just don't expletive get it, its like they love flirting with disaster and now it is upon them yet again because they only decide to play well for certain parts of those games.

I have been a die hard fan for close to 50 yrs seen everything and every heartbreak for various reasons from all sorts of players and different owners and managements and coaches over the yrs. but losing to this Hab team now after being up 3-1 will be the icing like swallowing a freakin cactus.

 

[Raym11]

I won't stop being a fan ever, but if we lose game 7 and there isn't a big trade, then management has failed.

Marner for better or worse should be gone if we lose, if only because Nylander played great, and Matthews/JT won't be traded obviously.

I have a hard time taking Marner/Matthews serious anymore if they flop tonight

JT had the freak injury, but these 2 are the only reason this series wasnt over in 4-5 games. Absolute ghosts

 

[Cobra777]

If you give up on the Leafs should they lose tomorrow, then you were never a fan in the first place. I've been A Minnesota Vikings fan for close to 50 years and they have yet to win a super bowl.

BS 50+ yrs of being a fan counts and sticking with all the the heartaches and crap through the ages through thick and thin also counts, but even a beaten dog knows when to call it a day, calling us not real fans is an insult and losing to the damn habs being up 3-1 is the final straw from everything else I have went through watching the majority of games since 67. Will I still hope they win some day? absolutely, but I will not give this franchise anymore wasted time as time after time they and players could not give a flyin expletive about its fan base. Its all about contracts and money and no honor even thought of for the front crest on the jersey or the fans.

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

Congrats my man. Don't even tell him what the Leafs are. It's better for his future.

“Daddy why are trees green?”
….
“Daddy?”