TORONTO | A Maple Leafs fans’ website perfectly illustrates the great dismay that drives them. At the top of the TMLfever.com home page, a painful counter ticks in real time to highlight the number of days, hours, minutes and seconds that have passed since the team’s last Stanley Cup on May 2nd, 1967. “Oh, it’s a shame all of this,” is written to support this cruel observation.
The author of this website, which is packed with information about the history of the Leafs, is Tony Rose, a fervent supporter who fully experienced the team’s glory with its conquests in 1962-1964 and the last three years later.
“It’s been so long!” the man sighed during a discussion with Le Journal in Toronto.
“It hurts, but there’s nothing left to do. The NHL is so competitive right now all you can do is wait and hope it happens one day,” he grumbled.
Tony Rose is the quintessential case of the good old Leafs fan who remains loyal against the odds, even when his faith begins to crumble.
“It’s like a prayer at this point. You can hope something will happen, but nothing is guaranteed. When it happens, it happens. Otherwise it will only take a year. We’ve gotten really good at telling ourselves there’s always next year,” he swore, adding that he stopped going to games because of the prohibitive ticket prices.
Photo Getty Images via AFP
The Maple Leafs’ home stadium, Scotiabank Arena, is still packed with fans, although the team hasn’t offered a Stanley Cup to its loyal fans since 1967.
Between bitterness and optimism
During the Journal’s farewell on March 29, the Leafs welcomed the Panthers. The fans around and in the Scotiabank Arena could be just as optimistic as they were resigned.
Old Oshawa lovebirds Debbie and Bill Scott perfectly illustrate this duality that plagues believers.
PHOTOS STEPHANE CADORETTE
The couple formed by Debbie and Bill Scott expressed mixed feelings at the Leafs’ store. Monsieur never misses a playoff game, but Madame can’t take it anymore.
“I grew up with the Leafs. It’s so frustrating, but when you think about it, the fan base is still going strong. It’s crazy! Before I hope to win the cup again, all I ask is that they make it through the first round. That would be really good,” the husband wishes.
She no longer wants to force the eternal suffering of the playoffs on his wife. The Leafs haven’t made it past the first round since 2004, and that 19-year drought is the fifth-longest in NHL history.
“I was 7 years old and my grandfather took me to the parade in 1967. It’s still my team, but I didn’t see a playoff game last year. I can’t take it anymore. Looks like they’re doing it on purpose. It hurts too much in the series. It has to be the fact that they lost the year before and the year before and the year before!” she swung crookedly.
Forbidden to let go!
At the entrance to the arena, the team’s legendary players are cast in bronze. Needless to say, this tribute corner, dubbed Legends Row, has more statues evoking the distant past than modern-day heroes.
Nothing to discourage Terry Kingsman, a proud Belleville fan who has worn his favorite Leafs jersey for 45 years.
“I’ve had a few cuts in my life, even though it’s been a while. I cling to hope. It will happen one day. Everyone has to keep hoping.
“We are in a good position but the goalkeepers will be crucial. It’s hard for us, but even harder for the players. There aren’t six teams like there used to be. There are so many variables, anything can happen,” he preached.
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Terry Kingsman, standing in front of the Legends Row statues, has proudly worn the same Leafs jersey to games for 45 years.
From 6 to 32 teams
It’s true that the Maple Leafs have not won a trophy since the NHL expanded its roster to more than six teams for the 1967-68 season. Nothing prevents the most zealous from continuing to believe in broad daylight. Why not this spring?
“I’m loyal and I’ll be here as long as it takes. I think they have an exceptional team this season, even if I compare them to Boston. I’ve seen teams that finish at the top fall better,” noted Carl Martin, who was 13 at the time of the Leafs’ last coronation.
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Carl Martin, who was hit in the main corridor wearing his Wendel Clark jersey, ensures his passion for the Leafs stays alive despite the team’s failures.
Chuck Marsh, well placed near the ice, proudly wore his Mats Sundin jersey which he bought on Scotiabank Arena’s opening night on February 19, 1999. He makes a few pilgrimages from Nova Scotia each year to support his loved ones and feels he has had enough.
PHOTOS STEPHANE CADORETTE
Chuck and Tracy Marsh make sure they have a good pair of tickets each year, traveling from Nova Scotia.
“It’s frustrating over time, especially since Tampa and Boston have our number. But hey, I’m a big fan. We’ve made some big acquisitions in the past few weeks. I will settle for nothing but the trophy. It’s all or nothing,” he said.
Over time, all criticism was directed at the organization, the coaches and the players. Big names marched and heads rolled. Followers remain loyal to the post. Sometimes for the better and often for the worse.
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