In the end there are going to be things that some people love and some people hate. And my glowing review of the city may not be enough to change your mind if you’ve already made it. But, if you haven’t decided to write Toronto off, if you’ve never been here, if it’s been a long, long time since you rode the street car, or if are ready to give it a second chance, these are some of the things that I love.
This is my Toronto.
It starts with Germany tonight, and then Russia tomorrow if the game goes well. And that showdown with Russia will be the biggest mid-week hockey game in a long, long time for Canadian fans and hockey fans the world over. It will be Sidney Crosby vs. Alexander Ovechkin with the winner going home, no medal, no parade, no national anthem, no glory, just a loss and disappointment. It is going to happen to someone, here’s hoping that it’s not Sidney. As a side note, if it does come down to Canada vs. Russia look out for Alex Ovechkin, this kid hates losing, and more than that, he hates losing to Sid. Determination and possibly domination will personified by Ovechkin himself. I love it.
It’s a huge day in Toronto. Mark it on your calendars. January 31, 2010, the day Brian Burke put his big blue and white mid-season stamp on the Toronto Maple Leafs.
A bunch of these people are going to be famous, some may be fictional, some may be dead and some...
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Last night I had goose bumps. A lot of goose bumps. A lot of times.
December 4, 2009 was the 100th anniversary of the very first game played by the Montreal Canadiens franchise. The ceremony was long and elaborate. And it was fantastic. Nobody puts on a show like the Montreal Canadiens!
Now, this isn’t exactly like the sale of Babe Ruth the Yankees by the Red Sox in 1920. It’s not like Peter Pocklington pulled a Harry Frazee and used the cash to make some bad musicals or anything. And the Oilers even won 1 more Stanley Cup after Gretzky left so there was no “Curse of The Great One” like there was the “Curse of The Bambino”. But at the end of the day both moves boiled down to being the sales of the best player in their sports.
But it’s tough for us strong, proud fans of the Montreal Canadiens to fight back. Every Maple Leaf fan is aware and used to the fact that their team hasn’t won a Stanley Cup since 1967. And while we aren’t pleased with the fact that the Habs haven’t won since Sir Patrick led the way in 1993, at least we can remember beating Gretzky and the Kings… after they beat the Leafs to get to us.
And as an ode to everyone’s favourite Maria I put a list together of a few of my favourite things, and to go with it, least favourite things as well.
All in all I enjoyed what the night had to offer. I’m a Derek Jeter, Yankee hater and I’m a bleu, blanc et rouge Habs lover. And the Oilers are always fun to watch when they play barn burning, fast paced hockey.
The theory here is that Major League Baseball gets to show off a double header of play-off action on national TV. It means that 2 extra teams in the league are guaranteed at least 1 play-off ticket gate per season. It also means that there are at least 2 chances a year for amazingly exciting games that will decide who gets to move on and play and who goes home.
