Friday, February 16, 2007
The Maple Leaf Forever
I have been asked a couple of times over the past couple of weeks, "why am I a Leaf's fan"? It is a franchise that will be celebrating the last Stanley Cup win 40 years ago this weekend. "Why are the celebrating about why they haven't won in so many years", you may ask?
It all started when I was 9 years old on a Thursday evening on April 12th, 1979. This was the evening that I actually watched a full hockey game on television and on a school night as well. The Toronto Maple Leafs against the Atlanta Flames in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Leafs would win this game 7 - 4 with great character players such as Darryl Sittler, Lanny McDonald, Mike Palmateer and of course Tiger Williams. During the game there was a bench clearing brawl, in which Darryl Sittler fought and won. I went to bed that night thinking this team is pretty good, I knew I was born in Toronto and thus my favourite team was born. Had I might have watched a couple of nights later, I might have watched Montreal beating Toronto and who knows who I would have cheered for.
Anyway, some dates I find interesting that ties the Maple Leafs to myself. Maple Leaf Gardens was built during the depression, and the very first game was November 12, 1931 (Matt's Birthday). Darryl Sittler named his son Ryan (was not planned on my part, realized afterwards). And on August 26th, 1951 Bill Barilko boarded a small fishing plane in northern Ontario. That plane crashed that day. Although a tragedy, that event turned into an obsession with Leaf fans. Many believe that the "Barilko curse" would not let the Leafs win another cup again. And they would not win a Stanley Cup again until 11 years later, which was the same year they discovered the crash site and the bodies of Barilko and Henry Hudson.
Why am I a Leaf fan? Why do people cheer for the Bad News Bears? Why do people cheer for a Rocky Balboa? Everyone loves an underdog story. I believe that the Leafs under tradition, management and media pressure have put the team behind the eight ball. When they lose, it feels like a dagger in the back, however, all it takes is a win and we have renewed life.
Someday, I hope my team will be on top and I do believe they will. However, until that time I watch the Leafs like a concerned parent, feel their losses and enjoy their victories.
Jamie
It all started when I was 9 years old on a Thursday evening on April 12th, 1979. This was the evening that I actually watched a full hockey game on television and on a school night as well. The Toronto Maple Leafs against the Atlanta Flames in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Leafs would win this game 7 - 4 with great character players such as Darryl Sittler, Lanny McDonald, Mike Palmateer and of course Tiger Williams. During the game there was a bench clearing brawl, in which Darryl Sittler fought and won. I went to bed that night thinking this team is pretty good, I knew I was born in Toronto and thus my favourite team was born. Had I might have watched a couple of nights later, I might have watched Montreal beating Toronto and who knows who I would have cheered for.
Anyway, some dates I find interesting that ties the Maple Leafs to myself. Maple Leaf Gardens was built during the depression, and the very first game was November 12, 1931 (Matt's Birthday). Darryl Sittler named his son Ryan (was not planned on my part, realized afterwards). And on August 26th, 1951 Bill Barilko boarded a small fishing plane in northern Ontario. That plane crashed that day. Although a tragedy, that event turned into an obsession with Leaf fans. Many believe that the "Barilko curse" would not let the Leafs win another cup again. And they would not win a Stanley Cup again until 11 years later, which was the same year they discovered the crash site and the bodies of Barilko and Henry Hudson.
Why am I a Leaf fan? Why do people cheer for the Bad News Bears? Why do people cheer for a Rocky Balboa? Everyone loves an underdog story. I believe that the Leafs under tradition, management and media pressure have put the team behind the eight ball. When they lose, it feels like a dagger in the back, however, all it takes is a win and we have renewed life.
Someday, I hope my team will be on top and I do believe they will. However, until that time I watch the Leafs like a concerned parent, feel their losses and enjoy their victories.
Jamie
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I think that it is so cool that you remember the day let alone the year. I wish I felt that passionate about something. As much as I like to side with Dad, Go Leafs Go!
P.S. Doesn't Tiger Williams play golf? Just kidding!
Jenn
P.S. Doesn't Tiger Williams play golf? Just kidding!
Jenn
Well said! We'll have to have a radio with headphones during the game this weekend so we can keep up on how the Leafs are doing.
- Troy
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- Troy
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