Ahead of the Leafs’ pivotal Game 5 on Thursday, in which they could clinch the series and move on to the second playoff round for the first time in nearly two decades, the Star spoke with diehard fans who shared how they’re preparing for the big game.
from home, he sits in front of his television with his two toy dogs by his side. Each time the Leafs score, Judge rings a bell and his pekinese, Pixie, and 15-year-old chihuahua, Chico, join in the celebration, howling and barking along.For Leafs superfans like Judge, superstitions are part of the fun. In a sport where the outcome is often unpredictable , these rituals offer fans a sense of control.
The dog-bell ritual is just one of several for Judge, 55, who’s been a Leafs fan since he was a young kid, when his grandfather introduced him to the sport. Other than the dog bell, Judge switches up his superstitions each season. This year, he’s also growing a playoff beard. Though he despises the feeling when his moustache gets into his mouth, he plans to grow it until the Leafs’ playoff run ends. Chantal Barrett-Papworth, who grew up near the Danforth, said her family and five or six of her neighbours would gather on their front lawns with their TVs to watch the Leafs when she was a kid.
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