Social media roasts Maple Leafs: 'We may finally get some May and June hockey'

Rudi Schuller

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Social media roasts Maple Leafs: 'We may finally get some May and June hockey' image

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.

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.

 

Rudi Schuller