When followers of the Toronto Maple Leafs go to Canadian Tire Centre (CTC) to cheer on their beloved blue and white, Ottawa Senators followers will be downright merciless to them. They inform hurtful jokes in regards to the Leafs – proper to their face, typically drawing comparisons between the group and horrible disasters just like the sinking of the Titanic. (Punch line – each the Leafs and that doomed ship had been advantageous – earlier than they hit the ice)
Senators followers don’t cease there. They’ll make enjoyable of their Toronto friends proudly carrying Leafs paraphernalia. A favorite goal is their baseball caps emblazoned with the caption, “Toronto Maple Leafs – Stanley Cup Champions 1967”. Most followers whose group hadn’t received a Stanley Cup in 58 years (presently the document for Cup droughts) would attempt to bury that beneath their hat.
Some imply Senators followers even demand that Ottawa Metropolis Council go a bylaw banning the carrying of Maple Leafs sweaters inside 100 kilometres of the CTC. Others go additional, urging they be rounded up and deported again to Toronto – particularly these carrying ratty outdated Mats Sundin sweaters.
Senators Followers Aren’t Alone in Dislike for Maple Leafs Followers
Senators followers level out that Ottawa wouldn’t be alone in attempting to fight throngs of Leafs followers invading their residence barns with draconian measures. Take Buffalo, for example. Simply earlier than the beginning of the 2023-24 season, the Buffalo Sabres put in place a coverage to offer desire to ticket consumers with a New York State zip code. Whereas the membership didn’t particularly say limiting Maple Leafs followers was a main motivation behind the coverage, Sabres vice-president of gross sales and repair Frank Batres-Landaeta advised the Buffalo Information that there have been “a handful of video games” final yr the place the membership noticed “the improper color blue” within the stands.
And it’s not simply the Sabres brass who don’t like seeing Leafs followers of their residence rink. As he laced up his skates to play the Maple Leafs final April, Sabres star defenceman Rasmus Dahlin was requested what he considered Toronto followers coming to KeyBank Centre to cheer their group on. The massive Swedish defender summed it up in three phrases – “I hate it”.
Calgary’s Saddledome – residence to the Calgary Flames is one other area the place followers of the Maple Leafs are as welcome as a nasty case of spring hay fever. Right here’s what a Flames – Maple Leafs matchup seems like within the Saddledome.
Even so, I say Senators followers ought to resist the temptation to forcibly maintain Leafs followers out of the CTC. As a substitute of condemnation, they want our understanding. Though it’s not but acknowledged within the Diagnostic and Statistical Guide of Psychological Problems, being a fanatical supporter of the Leafs absolutely qualifies as one – name it “Leafs Fan Syndrome” (LFS). They want our assist, not ridicule.
Understanding Leafs Fan Syndrome
The dysfunction appears to flare up in early fall because the Leafs’ coaching camp begins. In meaningless preseason video games, Leafs followers begin to chant what is probably the NHL’s most odious mantra, “Go Leafs Go”. A few convincing exhibition sport victories immediate them to begin chanting “That is Our 12 months!” Ideas from well-meaning Senators followers that they attempt to win a second spherical collection earlier than planning the Stanley Cup parade down Yonge Avenue go unheeded. (For these , it’s been 23 years since their final second spherical collection victory)
If delusions of an imminent Stanley Cup victory can’t be thought of symptomatic of LFS, then lovers of the blue and white anointing themselves “Canada’s Staff” actually ought to be. Who might neglect Mike Babcock claiming that honour for the Leafs on being put in as their head coach in 2015. So upsetting is the thought this may very well be true that many Canadians vowed to maneuver to the USA – in all its Trumpian glory.
To make certain, embracing and supporting Leafs followers of their battle with LFS will probably be tough. Loud, obnoxious and wearing blue sweaters that solely they might attempt to go off as Canada’s most iconic, visiting Toronto followers are like a swarm of mosquitoes at a summer season barbecue. They’re in every single place – biting, buzzing and worsening. It doesn’t matter what you do, they simply maintain coming, and they’re not possible to disregard. There’s no escaping them. There’s no reduction.
Whereas enduring Leafs followers at CTC is like attempting to recover from a nasty hangover – one which’s method too loud, lasts longer than you suppose and makes you swear you’ll by no means put your self by that have once more, we should be understanding. Passing judgment on Leafs followers for his or her poor selection in a hockey group received’t assist and even discourage them from coming to Ottawa. The one remedy for what afflicts them is for the Senators to close the Maple Leafs down on the ice. Delusions of grandeur and Stanley Cup fantasies related to LFS disappear rapidly when the Leafs lose.
