Lamentations of Game 7
Sacred texts chronicling the most painful Game 7 defeats in our holy history.
The Seventh Game Sorrows
"Game 7: two words that bring both hope and dread to the faithful. For in these decisive battles, our faith is most severely tested."
Lamentation 1: The Boston Collapse (2013)
In the year 2013, during the shortened season, the faithful witnessed perhaps the most painful Game 7 in our sacred history. Leading the Boston Bruins by a score of 4-1 midway through the third period, victory seemed assured. The faithful began to celebrate, for surely this lead was insurmountable.
But the Hockey Gods are cruel in their tests of faith. In a span of just minutes, the Bruins scored three times to tie the game. The faithful watched in horror as their joy turned to ash. Then, in overtime, Bergeron delivered the final dagger, sending the Leafs home and the faithful into mourning.
The Timeline of Tears
- 14:31 of 3rd period: Leafs lead 4-1 after Kadri goal
- 10:42 remaining: Nathan Horton scores to make it 4-2
- 1:22 remaining: Milan Lucic scores to make it 4-3
- 0:51 remaining: Patrice Bergeron ties the game 4-4
- 6:05 of overtime: Bergeron scores to complete the collapse
"And the faithful wept, for they had tasted victory only to have it snatched away in the cruelest manner. Yet they did not abandon their team, for such is the strength of true belief." — Lamentations 4:1
Lamentation 2: The Boston Trilogy (2018, 2019)
The Hockey Gods, not content with the suffering of 2013, brought the Bruins back into our path in consecutive years. In 2018, the faithful watched as their team battled valiantly but fell in Game 7 by a score of 7-4. The wounds of 2013 were reopened, salt poured liberally into them.
Then, as if to test our faith to its very limits, the 2019 playoffs brought yet another Game 7 against the hated Bruins. Once again, the faithful gathered, their hearts full of hope despite past trauma. And once again, they were sent home in despair, as the Bruins prevailed 5-1.
2018 Game 7
The faithful watched as Jake Gardiner, a loyal servant of the Blue and White, suffered through a night of misfortune, finishing -5 in a game that slipped away in the third period. His suffering became a symbol of our collective pain.
2019 Game 7
Hope turned to despair as the Bruins dominated from the start. The faithful questioned whether the Hockey Gods had abandoned them entirely, as a third consecutive playoff defeat to the same foe seemed too cruel a fate.
Lamentation 3: The Montreal Misery (2021)
Perhaps the cruelest test came in the holy pandemic year of 2021. The faithful were given a gift – a North Division of only Canadian teams, avoiding the demons of Boston entirely. Better still, the Leafs built a 3-1 series lead against the Montreal Canadiens, needing just one win in three games to advance.
But the Hockey Gods had not finished testing us. Game after game slipped away, leading to a decisive Game 7 on home ice. Surely, this time would be different. But Carey Price stood tall in the Montreal net, and the Leafs' offense was silenced. Another Game 7, another heartbreak, perhaps the most painful of all.
The Faithful's Lament
"How long must we endure this pain? How many Game 7s must break our hearts before redemption comes? We remain faithful, but our souls are weary. Give us strength to continue believing, for the night is dark and full of Bruins."
Lamentation 4: The Lesson of Suffering
The sacred texts teach us that suffering has purpose. Each Game 7 defeat, while painful, strengthens our resolve and deepens our faith. When the Cup finally returns to Toronto, the joy will be all the sweeter for the pain that preceded it.
The faithful must remember that the darkest night comes just before dawn. Though Game 7s have brought us sorrow, they will one day bring us joy. We must continue to believe, to wear our blue and white with pride, and to chant "Go Leafs Go" even through our tears.
"Blessed are those who continue to believe despite repeated heartbreak, for they shall experience the greatest joy when redemption finally comes." — Lamentations 7:7