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

[William Hylander]

I'm going to take a regular season break if they lose, it doesn't mean anything for us.

I'll come back to the playoffs and cheer them on. They should still win today.

 

[MSZ]

I voted no. But this current core is highly unlikeable.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

Can envision a Seattle Kraken campaign to snag some lowly Leaf fans.
I'll be back - like the sucker I am. Something will give me false hope and I'll cling to it.

 

[forecheck]

I am a Leaf fan but not a fan of this group of selfish players. I am not vested in this group.

 

[Metroid]

Lol what's with the big amount of habs fans clicking on the poll?

Leafs win or lose you're not a fan. Makes no sense to pick an option here. What a bunch of ....

 

[The Management]

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

Hey, I'll do my best, but I'm not a miracle worker...

In answer to the thread, no, I'm on this train to the end. But I will probably take a nice long break from HF Boards, or at least the main boards.

 

[Byron Bitz]

I'll never stop being a fan. I knew this team was not going to win sh*t this season so I haven't watched them as closely or as often as I have in previous years. The same for last season. I don't like what Dubas has done with this franchise so it's hard to take this team seriously as a 'real' cup contender. It's always been about playoff hockey and the team isn't built for it.

If you knew this team was gonna be shit this year you must of been real pissed at the price we paid for a rental in Foligno

 

[LeafsFan89]

I have been following this team since I was a kid in the early 90s. I only took a year break when I raged quit playing hockey. If they lose tomorrow, for me it would be a new low because we will never have an easier time making it to the third round.

The thing is, I am ok with the losses. I am even ok if we make a couple "mistakes" that end up costing a game. But I want this team to give a shit each and every night. Play like they want to be here and be relentless. I am fond of the Quinn days because they actually gave a shit. In contrast, this core seems so disinterested and "can never start on time". It's downright insulting to fans and previous Leafs players.

I won't stop being a Leaf fan, but I will likely only watch a handful of games (instead of the full season). When they give more of an effort, so will I.

 

[Durnberg]

They should win tonight.

I am not a leafs fan but if I were to stop being a fan of my team I think I’d stop watching the sport all together with. Not sure how you could dedicate your emotions to one team for decades and then be able to cheer for another team. To each their own I suppose.

 

[Cleatus]

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

Haha! That may be the case, but honestly, if they lose today, it'll be my final straw with this current roster, and I definitely won't watch again until major changes take place.

Hell, even if they win today, they're going to have to really impress me in the next round to get me truly back on the bandwagon.

With all that said... Good thing I'm also a Winnipeg Jets fan.

 

[Mr Lahey]

I voted yes but read the poll wrong. I will continue to be a fan, as painful as that may be.
They should win tonight, but my expectations are low.

 

[Brown Dog]

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.

If you quit, the trolls win.

Just remember that no matter what happens, it means something to be part of the community of Leaf Nation, even if does come with untold suffering, even if the heartbreak and losses will always outweigh the wins.

We were here before Keefe and Dubas and Shanahan and Matthews and Marner and Rielly and we will be here long after they are all gone. They are only the custodians of the franchise right now but they do not define it. We do. We must remain steadfast and believe that tomorrow will be a better day. It's why I will never be ashamed to say...

GO LEAFS GO!!!

 

[Northernguy10]

I've been a fan since 1957. I've seen the team win 4 cups in the 60's but I was a kid and didn't appreciate it then as maybe I should have. I've endured the circus for all the years since then and tried to cheer for other teams especially when some of my favourite players were traded or went to the WHA...Keon, Mahovlich, Sittler, Clark, Gilmour etc but I could never make the 'transition' so here I'm stuck. I've never seen so much of the fan base turn from anger to acceptance and resignation as I see right now and I've kind of been there for about 10 years now..As one poster wrote, they've/ I've become a passive fan. I no longer yell at the TV or get pissed after losses to teams we should beat in important games..I just sigh and soldier on. I think a large portion of this fan base is emotionally worn out and even a win tonight would have many looking at the next round with the same despair but with the same 'deep-down-hope' that will always linger. This organization has a culture problem. I could go on but this post has been too long as it is.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I will bleed blue til I die .. once a Marlie always a Leaf fan .. but I may take a year off from team .. hard to know for sure .. it will come down to my seats, license and sponsorship

 

[Brobust]

I will turn into the Winter Soldier.

 

[jamo27]

I really need a win tonight to keep cheering. I've bled blue and white my whole life (49 years). The amount of crushing losses is piling up with no payoff. They always find some way to lose in the worst way possible. Losing to the Habs, especially in the fashion that they have has left me feeling completely defeated - I don't think they will EVER win a cup.

Of course a big win tonight will get me back on board, but boys... I'm pretty much done if they lose.

 

[leaffaninvancouver]

How about we forum ban anyone who votes yes.

 

[Vaive50]

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!!

Good detailed list however you missed 2018 when the Leafs were down 3-1 in games against the B's but then won 2 straight to force game 7 just to lose it even though they were leading 4-3 going into the 3rd period thanks to Kapy's shorty.

I'm sure I'll remain a Leafs fan but will tune out for a little bit. If they lose this series, I feel like it is a new level of embarrassment to the crest. They weren't expected to win against the Caps or Bruins and it was a tie with the Blue Jackets. This time, not only are the Leafs playing the worst team to make the playoffs, a team that on any regular season would be nowhere close to the playoffs, but they had a friggin 3-1 lead in games. Twice against the Bruins, when the Leafs came back from down 3-1, they lost game 7 so let's hope that happens to the Habs tonight. If not, this is not a new KIND of embarrassment but a new LEVEL of embarrassment.

I am not watching or listening to tonights game, I've been through too many elimination games to do that again. I'll just keep my fingers crossed and check the score after the game.

 

[ottomaddox]

I wish there were a 3rd option:

3. Would care less than before.

 

[Blanche Blanche]

I wish there were a 3rd option:

3. Would care less than before.

underrated comment right here

 

[Willchel Marlynder]

Nah but I'll probably be disinterested in next season. Will use Leaf game time to instead learn a new language or something. Will tune in for the playoffs to see if they can finally get the monkey off their back.

 

[Moridin]

never

 

[Chief Berube]

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.

This was the most real thing said on here! Thank god your mom is doing well and you were able to watch the game with her.

 

[Cobra777]

I've been a fan since 1957. I've seen the team win 4 cups in the 60's but I was a kid and didn't appreciate it then as maybe I should have. I've endured the circus for all the years since then and tried to cheer for other teams especially when some of my favourite players were traded or went to the WHA...Keon, Mahovlich, Sittler, Clark, Gilmour etc but I could never make the 'transition' so here I'm stuck. I've never seen so much of the fan base turn from anger to acceptance and resignation as I see right now and I've kind of been there for about 10 years now..As one poster wrote, they've/ I've become a passive fan. I no longer yell at the TV or get pissed after losses to teams we should beat in important games..I just sigh and soldier on. I think a large portion of this fan base is emotionally worn out and even a win tonight would have many looking at the next round with the same despair but with the same 'deep-down-hope' that will always linger. This organization has a culture problem. I could go on but this post has been too long as it is.

Nope, it was a nice read and truly stated and yes I cannot vote for any other team, my major sport playing was hockey since 5 yrs. old for over 25 yrs.
What I miss this day and age is the honor of players playing for the front crest on their Jersey with this team vs. the high dollar contracts and padded stats while other teams top players still come to give it all especially when you watch other playoff hockey games. To be truthful if winter wasn't so damn long being indoors after work etc. I would have just packed in watching this hockey team over the last few seasons with all the excuses and post game drivel of why they can't seem to start on time. I have seen some games from this core own Boston with a clinical hockey game, game 1 where Boston could not keep up or barely touch the puck in Boston 2 seasons ago and finally lead 3-2 at home and completely crap the bed game 6 and 7 which looked like half efforts.

If you can play dominant hockey some games and then look like your totally disinterested other games being totally flat and not moving your God given legs while standing around letting teams dictate the play, shows big problems here. I am not a sore loser if the efforts are there, but this team seems to have an on and off switch that you see mounted on every homes walls for the lights and for that reason does not sit well with me because as a fan feel cheated from watching guys who make millions who just seem to mail it in when adversity hits.

As a fan of this team my expectation have been drastically lowered to where beating this despised team(Habs) is my Stanley cup and would be satisfied in order to get that darn monkey off their back since 2004 and not have to listen to their fans gloat for an eternity but alas that seems like asking for too much with the reality of dunking your face in the palms of your hands yet again.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

No, and if you say yes you are pathetic, if I didn't switch when my hometown Jets came back I'm not switching.

I will however start calling for Dubas's job 1st round losses are no longer acceptable.

That said I do think he has enough excuses to buy him another year, short season, Tavares injury etc but you could justify firing him.