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Toronto Maple Leafs: Nick And Josh Entering Enemy Territory

By Josh Tessler

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 23: Toronto Maple Leafs fans gather in Maple Leaf Square before the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Game 6 Game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Washington Capitals on April 23, 2017, at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 23: Toronto Maple Leafs fans gather in Maple Leaf Square before the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Game 6 Game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Washington Capitals on April 23, 2017, at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Tonight, Editor in Leaf Contributors, Nick DeSouza and myself will be in attendance at TD Garden for game 7 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins.

We’re both based out of the Greater Boston Area and are die-hard Maple Leafs fans. DeSouza and myself are looking forward to dawning our blue and white jerseys at the Garden. We are fortunate to help represent Leafs Nation in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and stand witness to watch an amazing finale of a huge comeback by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

This series, has been nerve-wracking. The Maple Leafs losing both game one and game two in Boston was heart breaking, especially since the Maple Leafs had owned the season series. The Maple Leafs never stop fighting and put together a spectacular comeback. Assets including Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, Tomas Plekanec, Connor Brown, Frederik Andersen, Zach Hyman and others have helped ensure that the Maple Leafs won’t be returning home without a fight.

Being A Leafs Fan In Boston

I can speak for both DeSouza and myself and say that being a Toronto Maple Leafs fan in the city of Boston isn’t always easy. I wouldn’t give up my allegiance though.

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The other night, I went out on a bar crawl to celebrate my fiance, Elizabeth’s close friend, Maureen’s birthday. I dawned my Auston Matthews Stadium Series jersey throughout the evening. Of course, you could expect that I heard a bunch of nice statements come my way. Some of them weren’t even said out-loud.

At one of our last stops on the crawl, we stopped at Baseball Tavern. At the bar, someone walked up to me and decided to rub his middle finger on his nose towards me. It was clear that this was intended for me to see, as he stopped dead in front of me. To be honest, I took the “statement” and let it go. It’s not easy rooting for an opposing team in an opposing city, but not going to lie it’s always fun to hear and see what people will do or say around an opposing fan.

Not Giving Away My Allegiance

Personally, I wouldn’t trade being a Maple Leafs fan for anything. My close buddy, Rob has insisted over the years that I jump on the Bruins bandwagon. Of course, it’s always been a joke, but it’s something that I would never take seriously. I’ve watched the Maple Leafs since I was a kid. I watched Doug Gilmour, Ian White, Gary Roberts, Jeff “O-Dawg” O’Neill, Mats Sundin, Tie Domi, Ed Belfour, Shayne Corson, Darcy Tucker, Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews. I could never throw my childhood away by dawning a Bruins sweater. Watching the Maple Leafs putting together a solid cup-worthy team has been awesome. After seeing the dark days of the late 2000s, it’s awesome to see them back in the playoffs. Hopefully, DeSouza and I will watch history tonight and see the Maple Leafs move to round two.

Next: Tonight Is Not Like Last Time

Tonight’s Game

If you’ll be at the game, we’d love for you to tweet at us if you’d like to chat about the Toronto Maple Leafs or hockey in general.

Whether, you are a Leafs fan from Boston, Toronto, or Saskatoon and you are at the game tonight, you should be proud and honoured. You’ve watched one heck of a series and hopefully the Maple Leafs will continue the hunt for the cup by defeating Boston.

Nick DeSouza’s twitter handle is @NickDeSouza_ and mine is @TesslerJosh.

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