The Toronto Maple Leafs are back in the NHL playoffs. The much-maligned mega franchise, after a nine-year hiatus, will play the Boston Bruins on Wednesday. The genuine enthusiasm, anticipation and glee ripping through Leaf Nation is truly palpable.
The most widely known historical fact by Torontonians is probably that the Toronto Maple Leafs have not won the Stanley Cup since 1967. This has not diminished the love for the team that the city showers upon the squad. Toronto is a multicultural cosmopolitan, and the team is loved without partisanship.
Leaf fever bridges all of the social gaps. It is truly beautiful to see people from all parts of the world come together to support a single cause. Newly arrived immigrants from non-hockey cultures embrace the team. Hardened and bitter life-long fans, despite decades of disappointment, never truly renounce their loyalty and creep back as fans once the playoffs commence.
Leaf Nation is bound by hope. There is one religion. One language. One race. Two colours (blue and white). The city is truly united. Toronto is at its peak when the team is in the postseason. The feeling that sweeps t ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Andrew Dodds
The Maple Leafs Bring Playoff Fever Back to Toronto
April 30th, 2013 by Andrew Dodds Leave a reply »
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