The coronavirus pandemic has forced almost everyone inside while putting every facet of daily life on hold.
Hockey's no exception — the NHL paused its scheduled games on March 12 and there is no end to the shutdown in sight. Despite the necessary measures to prevent the spread of the virus, people haven't lost their sense of humor.
One thing that seems to unite hockey fans from all over is poking fun at the Toronto Maple Leafs, the franchise with the longest-active Stanley Cup drought despite representing one of the most feverish fan bases in the sport.
It's a tradition that's grown with every passing year, and it's something that even COVID-19 can't stop.
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With most people practicing social distancing these days, the phrase has become part of the global lexicon. Naturally, some have chosen to have fun with the otherwise-serious term, even using the beleaguered Leafs as a real-life example of how to properly execute the practice.
My first “social distancing” art project is going to make fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs want to keep their distance from me, I suppose. @UniWatch pic.twitter.com/pRp2axcVGC
— Ed Hughes 🏈🏀🥍⚽️🎙 (@Raleigh_Anncr) March 22, 2020
The Leafs have been social distancing from the Cup for over 50 years.
— Tej Dhaliwal (@DrDangles87) March 19, 2020
It burns even more when you realize that the Stanley Cup's full-time home is at the Hockey Hall of Fame, which is roughly a five-minute walk from Scotiabank Arena.
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As if that wasn't bad enough, several fans online have realized that a resumption of the 2019-20 season almost certainly means that Toronto would be playing games much later than usual. The postseason in the modern NHL lasts well into June every year, but the Leafs have been, um, far from successful in the modern NHL.
Even when they make the playoffs, which has been customary in recent years, they rarely advance past the opening rounds. The Maple Leafs have never played hockey in June, coming closest over 20 years ago during the Mats Sundin-led heydays, but a resumption of the regular season or a jump straight into the playoffs would almost certainly mean that summer NHL hockey would take place in Toronto for the first time.
It's a strange possibility that hasn't been lost on fans.
AHAHAHAHAHA! @MapleLeafs - We May finally get some May and June hockey! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 #NHL https://t.co/4j8g0FMR2v
— Darcy_Lussier (@Darcy_Lussier) March 21, 2020
NBA and NHL are suspended and Tom Brady is leaving the New England Patriots.
— Canadian Dragon (@majingir) March 17, 2020
We are about to live in a world where the New York Knicks and Toronto Maple Leafs are playing in June and the Buffalo Bills are the team to beat in the AFC East.
Only way the Leafs could play in June
— Red (@kylecalloway20) March 11, 2020
For the first time in over 50 years the @MapleLeafs may be playing in June #LeafsForever #LeafNation
— J. R. Sproat 👌 (@RedLikeReagan) March 14, 2020
The only way @MapleLeafs would ever play in June would be from a technicality like this #leafsforever #NHL @NHL
— Hockey Talk (@HockeyTalkNews) March 12, 2020
The Maple Leafs may actually play a meaningful game past April this year,for the first time in 25 years 😂 #LGRW
— Mike B (@mburkie24) March 13, 2020