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Sports in the Centre of the Universe*, from a sports-business fans perspective.
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Summer Update - Tomas Kaberle stays put, Still plenty of summer concerts, WWE RAW comes to town, UFC far behind?

In this issue...  Tomas Kaberle stays put, Still plenty of summer concerts, WWE RAW comes to town!
 
Kaberle to stay in the Blue and White, at least for now:
 
From TSN.ca:
Tomas Kaberle isn't going anywhere, at least not without his approval.
 
The Toronto Maple Leafs were unable to make a deal that they found suitable for their offensive defencemen, and with Kaberle's no trade clause kicking back in, control of his future falls back to Kaberle.
"While a number of clubs made offers to trade for Tomas, none of them reflected Tomas's value to our team," Leafs general manager Brian Burke said in a statement.  "I understand a period like this is stressful to the player, and we are pleased that there is a resolution, and we can all continue to prepare for the coming season."
The 32-year old defenceman, who has one-year remaining on his contract had seven goals and 42 assists in 82 games last season.
See Kabby, Kessel, Phaneuf and the rest of the up and coming Leafs this season by ordering your Quarter Season Package, only from Bay Street Ticket Services!
 
Summer Concerts:
 
JUSTIN BIEBER
Air Canada Centre, Saturday, August 21, 2010 7:00pm
Section 309, Row 1, 2 seats at $425 per ticket - VIP PACKAGE*
*VIP includes exclusive Justin Vip gift bag, 1 limited VIP laminate & matching lanyard and 1 commemorative souvenir concert ticket

Section 311, Row 10, 2 seats at $95 per ticket - Obstructed view
 
   
TOM PETTY and The Heartbreakers
with Special Guests Crosby, Stills and Nash
Air Canada Centre, Wed. August 25, 2010 7:30pm
Section FLR1, Row 23, 2 seats at $275 per ticket
Section 107, Row 9, 2 seats at $225 per ticket
Section 109, Row 8, 2 seats at $395 per ticket
 
 
BLUE RODEO
Molson Ampitheatre, Thursday, August 26, 2010    6:30pm
Section 101, Row M, up to 4 seats at $180 per ticket
 
 
CITY & COLOUR, AND TEGAN & SARA
Molson Amphitheatre, Saturday August, 28th 2010, 6:30pm
Section 202, Row R, 2 seats at $115 per ticket
 
 
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS     
Air Canada Centre, Sunday, August 29th 2010 7:30pm
Section 120, Row 11, 2 seats at $135 per ticket    
 
 
JONAS BROTHERS                              
2010 WORLD TOUR /CAMP ROCK 2 TOUR
with Special Guest DEMI LOVATO
 
Molson Amphitheatre, Thurs September 2nd 2010  6:30pm
Section 203, Row VV, 2 seats at $185 per ticket
Section 301, Row E, up to 6 seats at $170 per ticket
Section 301, Row K, 2 seats at $170 per ticket
Section 302, Row K, up to 6 tickets at $170 per ticket
Section 305, Row H, 2 seats at $170 per ticket
Section 304, Row J, 2 seats at $150 per ticket (partial view)
Section 304, Row L, 2 seats at $150 per ticket (partial view)
Section 301, Row J, 2 seats at $185 per ticket
 
Molson Amphitheatre, Friday September 3rd 2010  2:00pm
Section 103, Row J, 2 seats at $350 per ticket
Section 202, Row K, up to 4 seats at $195 per ticket    
 
 
YO GABBA GABBA
Molson Amphitheatre, Sat September 4th 2010 2:00pm
Section 201, Row C, 2 seats at $125 per ticket * VIP SEATS
 
 
Molson Amphitheatre, Sat September 4th 2010 5:00pm
Section 201, Row C, 2 seats at $125 per ticket * VIP SEATS  
 
 
RASCAL FLATTS with Kellie Pickler and Chris Young
Molson Amphitheatre, Sunday September 5th 2010
Section 201, Row A, 2 seats at $180 per ticket
Section 103, Row J, 2 seats at $145 per ticket
 
 
KISS                      
Molson Amphitheatre, Friday September 10th 2010
Section 203, Row L, up to 4 seats at $200 per ticket
Section 203, Row R , up to 4 seats at $200 per ticket
Section 101, Row M, 2 seats at $280 per ticket  
 
ROGER WATERS
Air Canada Centre, Wed, September 15, 2010   8:00pm 
Section 120, row 28, 4 seats on aisle at $270 per ticket
Section 122, row 22, 4 seats at $250 per ticket
Section 122, row 19, 2 seats at $250 per ticket
Section 106, row 23, 2 seats at $250 per ticket
For the ACC West end stage seating chart click here
 
Air Canada Centre, Thurs, September 16, 2010   8:00pm
Section 108, row 9, 2 seats at $495 per ticket
 
Air Canada Centre, Sat September 18, 2010 8:00pm
Section 107, Row 5, up to 6 tickets at $315 per ticket
Section 107, Row 8, 2 seats at $315 per ticket
 
 
WWE RAW                                                     
Air Canada Centre, Friday September 10th 2010
Section SWFLR1, Row 14, up to 4 seats at $125 per ticket
Section EFLR1, Row 10, 2 seats at $125 per ticket
Section EFLR3, Row 12, 2 seats at $125 per ticket
Section EFLR3, Row 12, 2 seats at $125 per ticket
Section 120, Row 2, 2 seats at $120 per ticket
Section 120, Row 11, 2 seats at $120 per ticket
Section 120, Row 9, 2 seats at $120 per ticket
Section 118, Row 4, 2 seats at $120 per ticket
Section 109, Row 8, 2 seats at $120 per ticket
 
UFC Coming Soon!
 
The Ontario government has cleared the way for Mixed Martial Arts and specifically the UFC, to stage events in the province starting in 2011.  For the full story from TSN, click here.
 
Enjoy the rest of your summer everyone!
 

Chris & the BSTS team
 
416.801.8998

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Connect with us!
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Bay Street Ticket Services - 20 Bay Street, 11th Floor - Toronto, Ontario - M5J 2N8 - 1.877.229.7884 (BAY.ST.TIX) - Fax: 416.465.4630 - sales@BayStreetTickets.ca - www.BayStreetTickets.ca  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Save 8% on a Quarter Season of NHL Hockey!

 

Reserve your 2010-11 Toronto Maple Leafs Quarter Season Ticket Packages Now and Save 8%!

As yet another playoff-less season of NHL hockey winds down in Toronto, for the first time in years, there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel.

 

Youth is being served, as Leafs President and General Manager Brian Burke slowly but methodically rebuilds the team from the goaltender out, and the building blocks are starting to fall into place.  Jonas “The Monster” Gustavsson is getting acclimatized to the North American game and has Stanley Cup and Playoff MVP winner J.S Giguere there to provide him support and 12 years of knowledge of NHL caliber shooters. 

 

The back-end is anchored by newly added stud defenseman Dion Phaneuf, who also brings a tremendous sense of leadership to the team, and longest-standing Leaf Tomas Kaberle, as well as steady defenders Francois Beauchemin, Mike Komisarek, and the improving sophomore Luke Schenn.

 

Up front, Phil Kessel has impressed with 28 (and counting) goals after getting a late start to the season because of off-season shoulder surgery.  Free agent signings Christian Hanson, Victor Stalberg and especially Tyler Bozak have shown that they can play at the NHL level, and 2nd year winger Nikolai Kulemin continues to evolve into a big leaguer too.

 

Add in another top 6 forward or two via free agency this year and the team may just have what it takes to get to the post-season again.  And add in the fact that the core of the team is less than 25 years old and the cause for optimism in place.

 

Don’t miss your chance to ensure your seats for this exciting squad next season.

 

Our “Quarter Season” ticket packages are unique because they truly are as close to a quarter of the hockey season as you can get.

 

The Maple Leafs play 4 pre-season and 41 regular season games at Air Canada Centre each season.  For our Quarter Season packages, we offer you your choice of 1 of 4 pre-season games and 10 of 41 regular season games.

 

We think that’s as fair a Quarter Season as you can get!

Quarter Season Toronto Maple Leafs Ticket Packages

 

Click here to download our 2010-11 Quarter Season Information

Your Quarter Season Toronto Maple Leafs ticket package consists of:

  • 2 or 4 Tickets to 10 Regular Season Games
  • 4 Saturday Night Games*

  • 6 Weekday Games*

  • ONLY 1 Pre-Season Game

* The first game of the season, aka “Opening Night” game may be classified as a “Saturday Night” game

 

Order Soon and Save on the HST!

Pay for your Quarter Season ticket in full before July 1st 2010 and save 8% on the incoming HST!

 

Example: Purchase a 2 ticket Gold Package ($275 per ticket) = $275 x 22 tickets = $6,050 + taxes

 

Paid in full prior to July 1st 2010 à $6050 + 5% GST = $6352.50

Paid in full after July 1st 2010 à $6050 + 13% HST = $6836.50

 

Savings on this package are almost $500! ($484)

Click here to download our 2010-11 Quarter Season Information

Toronto FC Executive Suites

Calling all soccer fans!

 
Toronto FC kicks off it's 4th season of MLS play and 1st on REAL GRASS, next month, at BMO Field.
 
Subject to availability, Bay Street Ticket Services is pleased to offer FULL SUITES at BMO for the upcoming season.
 
Your Suite Includes:
  • 16 Tickets to the game
  • Exclusive VIP Entrance with elevators
  • Shared Suite Attendant
  • In Suite 32” LCD-HD Television Monitors
  • Early Access Prior to the Event to Entertain
  • Very Comfortable Oversized Padded Executive Suite Chairs
 
Tickets are sold out, and soon all suites will be sold out too.
 
Don't miss your chance to lock down a suite for your next employee or client appreciation event!
 
First Come, First Serve!
 
 
 

TORONTO FC  2010 SCHEDULE (EST)

All games played at BMO Field

 Game Time

 

 

Availability

Thursday, April 15th

Philadelphia

7:00 pm

Reserved

Sunday, April 25th

Seattle

2:00 pm

Available

Saturday, May 8th

Chicago

4:00 pm

Available

Saturday May 22nd

New England

4:00 pm

Available

Saturday June 5th

Kansas City

4:00 pm

Available

Saturday June 26th

Los Angeles

7:30 pm

Available

Thursday July 1st

Houston

7:00 pm

Available

Saturday July 10th

Colorado

12:00 pm

Available

Saturday July 24th

Dallas

4:00 pm

Available

Saturday August 7th

Chivas

4:00 pm

Available

Saturday August 21st

New York

(note - CNE is on - free admission to the Ex with tickets)

1:00 pm

Available

Saturday August 28th

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(note - CNE is on - free admission to the Ex with tickets)laceType>

7:00 pm

Available

Saturday September 11th

DC

4:00 pm

Available

Saturday September 25th

San Jose

4:00 pm

Available

Saturday October 16th

Columbus

4:00 pm

Reserved

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

*** Red Denotes Premium Game***

 

16 Tickets Per Suite

Regular Games 3500.00 + Tax

Premium Games 4000.00 + Tax

Food & Beverages Not Included

 

 

 
Terms:
 
Payment must be received in full in order to confirm the license of a BMO Field Suite Rental. If such payment is not received in a timely manner, the Rental Suite may be licensed to another party without notice.

Booking Policy: Reservations require a 50% non-refundable deposit when booking. Remainder due no less than 30 days prior to event.
Payment Method: Credit Card or Company Cheque. Credit Cards accepted are Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Personal Cheques will not be accepted.


To book now, contact:
Chris Shea
Sales Director
Phone: (416) 801-8998
Fax: (416) 465-4630
E-mail: chris@BayStreetTickets.ca

Experience First Class Service in a First Class Venue!
 
Find us on Facebook!   Follow us on Twitter! Look for us on LinkedIn! Read our Blog!
 
Bay Street Ticket Services - 20 Bay Street, 11th Floor - Toronto, Ontario - M5J 2N8 - 1.877.229.7884 (BAY.ST.TIX) - Fax: 416.465.4630 - sales@BayStreetTickets.ca - www.BayStreetTickets.ca  
 

Get your 2010 Maple Leafs and Raptors Tickets NOW!

Happy New Year!

Get your 2010 Maple Leafs and Raptors Tickets NOW!

Bay Street Ticket Services can offer you the best prices on Mid-Week Games!

Just tell us how many tickets you are looking for at any games you are interested in and we will give you several options to suit almost any budget. 

Email us at sales@BayStreetTickets.ca.

We're different because we utilize our network of connections to be able to offer you tickets you won't find on other ticketing sites!



Leafs Home Schedule:
 

Saturday, January 9th, Pittsburgh, 7PM
Tuesday, January 12th, Carolina, 7PM
Thursday, January 14th, Philadelphia, 7PM
Tuesday, January 26th, Los Angeles, 7PM
Saturday, January 30th, Vancouver, 7PM
Tuesday, February 2nd, New Jersey 7PM
Saturday, February 6th, Ottawa 7PM
Monday, February 8th, San Jose, 7PM
Tuesday, March 2nd, Carolina, 7PM
Tuesday, March 9th, Boston, 7PM
Thursday, March 11th, Tampa Bay, 7PM
Saturday, March 13th, Edmonton 7PM
Thursday, March 18th, New Jersey 7:30PM
Saturday, March 20th, Montreal, 7PM
Tuesday, March 23rd, Florida, 7PM
Saturday, March 27th, NY Rangers 7PM
Tuesday, March 30th, Atlanta, 7PM
Thursday, April 1st, Buffalo, 7PM
Saturday, April 3rd, Boston, 7PM
Tuesday, April 6th, Philadelphia, 7PM

 

Raptors Home Schedule:

Sunday, January 10th, Boston, 1PM
Sunday, January 17th, Dallas 12:30PM
Friday, January 22nd, Milwaukee, 7PM
Sunday, January 24th, LA Lakers, 6PM
Wednesday, January 27th, Miami, 7PM
Sunday, January 31st, Indiana, 6PM
Wednesday, February 3rd, New Jersey, 7PM
Sunday, February 7th, Sacramento, 12PM
Wednesday, February 10th, Philadelphia, 7PM
Wednesday, February 17th, Memphis, 7PM
Saturday, February 20th, Washington, 7PM
Wednesday, February 24th, Portland, 7PM
Friday, February 26th, Cleveland, 7PM
Friday, March 5th, New York, 7PM
Sunday, March 7th, Philadelphia, 12PM
Wednesday, March 17th, Atlanta, 7PM
Friday, March 19th, Oklahoma, 7PM
Wednesday, March 24th, Utah, 7PM 
Friday, March 26th, Denver, 7PM
Wednesday, March 31st, LA Clippers, 7PM
Sunday, April 4th, Golden State, 6PM
Wednesday, April 7th, Boston, 7PM
Sunday, April 11th, 6PM
Wednesday, April 14th, New York, 8PM

Good work Boys!

As most of you know, the World Junior Championships wrapped up last night in Saskatoon, and, although it was a great game, our Canadian boys came out on the losing end after dominating (for the most part) the entire tournament.

Their one hiccup over the last 2 weeks was the New Years Eve game against the Americans that went to a shoot out, and as fate would have it, they lost out to those same Americans last night.

Despite Edmonton Oiler draft pick Jordan Eberle's clutch 2 goals in the last 5 minutes to tie it, the American's would not be denied in OT and they stopped Canada's Junior hockey Gold Medal run at 5 years.

If I had to choose, I'd pick Silver in Saskatoon if it means Gold in Vancouver.

I love watching the Junior's as much as the next hockey fan, but this tournament, held in Ottawa last year, Saskatchewan this year, and across the border in Buffalo next year, is on the verge of becoming a Junior Canada Cup and not a true international "World" tournament.

I understand that it draws flies when held in Europe or elsewhere not in (or in close proximity) to Canada, and that the IIHF and Hockey Canada stages it here to make money, but it's getting to be a little ridiculous.

16-0 over Latvia?  6-0 over Switzerland?  8-2 over Slovakia?

I get it that it's good for those nations to play Canada to get a sense of where they stack up in international competition, but the round-robin portion of the tournament is hardly worth playing.

All that said, I still look forward to the tournament next year in Buffalo.  Should be good for business.


 

Big Weekend for the Buds

With only 4 points separating the Maple Leafs from the 8th place Florida Panthers (and with a game in hand!), this weekend's 3 games in 4 nights versus divisional opponents are shaping up to be pivotal as the league heads into the Christmas break.

Tonight, the Buds travel down the QEW to take on the Northeast Division leading Buffalo Sabres at HSBC, an arena that historically has not been kind to the Toronto NHL team.  With Luke Schenn and Jonas Gustavsson back in the lineup, as well as pre-season sensation Viktor Stalberg being called up from the Marlies (Joey MacDonald has been sent down), one thing that is guaranteed is that the crowd will be at least 50% Leafs fans, probably more.
 
(It's been said that when the Leafs play in Buffalo, all the fans who are usually up in the greens and purples at the ACC buy all the tickets in the Lower Level at HSBC, thus making it much louder, and much more partisan to the Leafs.)
T
With Sabres goalie (and probable US Olympic team starter) Ryan Miller leading the way, Buffalo has taken the first 2 meetings of the season, so the Leafs will be looking to even the series starting tonight and again on Monday when the Sabres visit the ACC.

After tonight's game, the Leafs will head home to take on the Boston Bruins at the ACC, for the 3rd time in December. The Bruins have owned the Leafs so far this season, but will be flying in from Chicago, where they take on the tough Blackhawks tonight.

As Toskala will start tonight's game in Buffalo, look for Gustavsson to start either tomorrow or Monday when the Sabres come to town for the rematch.

With a renewed sense of confidence, the Leafs have to take 2 of 3 in order to continue their push for 8th place or higher in the tight Eastern Conference.

For tickets to all Leafs home and away games, please contact us today!

Thanks for everything Doc

According to several online pundits, yesterday the Toronto Blue Jays became the Toronto Pirates, and came one step closer to being the Toronto Expos, an allusion to the blue birds current fate of that of a "feeder" team to the real Major League teams (a la the Pittsburgh Pirates) and on the verge of extinction/relocation, much like their former Canadian MLB team, the Montreal Expos.

The reason for this, of course, is the trading of long-time ace pitcher and all around good guy, Roy "Doc" Halladay.

Doc was the Jay's first draft selection in the 1995 Draft, the 17th pick overall.  He started in the farm system but made a name for himself late in the 1998 season, when, as a September call-up, (as the Jays' were once again playing out the season with no chance of post-season play a trend that has continued through to the present, with no realistic chance of changing any time soon) in his second major league start, on the final day of the regular season, he pitched a no-hitter into the 9th inning, when, with 2 outs, the bid was broken up by a Bobby Higginson solo home run. The home run was the only hit Halladay would allow in a 2–1 Blue Jays victory, as he recorded his first major league win. The game was completed in 1 hour 45 minutes.

That one outing to close out the '98 season gave Jays fans and management hope that Harry Leroy Halladay would turn out to be something special, and despite struggles over the next 4 seasons, "Doc" would not disappoint.

In 2002, after working with Jays pitching coach Mel Queen, he became the dominant pitcher he is today, and won the 2003 Cy Young Award as the American League's best pitcher.

A six-time All-Star, he compiled a career 148-76 win-loss record for an impressive .661 winning percentage.

Twice he signed in Toronto for less-than his market value, in order to stay here and allow the team to use those funds to build a better team around him.  After ex-GM JP Ricciardi added pieces such as #2 pitcher AJ Burnett, closer BJ Ryan, and hitters such as Troy Glaus, Lyle Overbay and later Scott Rolen but was not able to move the team up in the tough AL East standings, the writing was on the wall that Doc would not resign with the Jays after reaching Free Agent status after the 2010 season.

After Ricciardi mis-played his cards in the weeks leading up to the 2009 trade deadline, and the media speculation on (and interrogation of) Halladay made it all but guaranteed that he would not be here following the 2010 season, incoming GM Alex Anthopoulis had literally no choice but to trade Doc in the off-season, when he could maximize the return on him, and get 3 top prospects for our 1 All-Star pitcher.

So who do we get in return?

According to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun:

The Jays will wind up with right-hander Kyle Drabek, a former No. 1 pick, outfielder Michael Taylor and catcher Travis d'Arnaud, also a former No. 1 pick. The Phillies get former No. 1 pick Phillippe Aumont of Gatineau, Que., outfielder Tyson Gillies of Langley, B.C., and right-hander Juan Ramirez.

"The prospects Toronto get are closer to being major-league ready than what Philadelphia will receive," a former American League GM said.

As for Stanford alumn Taylor, selected two picks ahead of Marc Rzepczynski in the fifth round in 2007, he won't be staying with the Jays. The Jays will flip Taylor to the Oakland A's for third baseman Brett Wallace, a former No. 1 pick of the St. Louis Cardinals.

In winding up with Drabek, Wallace and d'Arnaud the Jays added three former No. 1 picks for Halladay.


Below: Friday, July 24th, 2009, what could have been Doc's last game in TO, top of the 9th, none out, Doc still on the mound.

Don't look now...

...But the Leafs are only TWO POINTS behind 8th place Montreal for the final spot in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?type=con#&navid=nav-stn-conf

Granted, there are 5 teams between them and the Habs, but at least we've got a game in hand on Montreal!

Here are the highlights from last night's GREAT game against Ottawa!

Tiger Tales

As the Tiger Woods scandal continues to be a Top Story around the globe, Tiger stated on his website that he is taking an indefinite break from golf in order to "focus his attention on being a better husband, father, and person."

Just as the hype of the non-story of Gatorade "phasing out" their Tiger Focus drink started to subside, Gillette announced Saturday that they would be distancing themselves from Tiger indefinitely.

Gillette, which uses the slogan "The best a man can get," said it won't air advertisements featuring Woods or include him in public appearances. Woods was hired by Gillette in 2007 and has been in ads for Gillette Fusion Power razors with titles like "Phenom" and "Champions" with other stars including tennis great Roger Federer and footballer Thierry Henry.

"This is supporting his desire to step out of the public eye and we're going to support him by helping him to take a lower profile," said Damon Jones, a spokesman for Gillette, a unit of Cincinnati-based Procter&Gamble.

Next up was consulting firm Accenture, who's slogan for the past 2 years has been, "Go ahead, be a Tiger" who issued a statement Sunday saying the golfer is “no longer the right representative” after the “circumstances of the last two weeks.”

Other sponsors continue to stick with Woods for the time being.

Watch maker Tag Heuer issued a statement Monday morning saying they will stand behind him.

Company spokeswoman Mariam Sylla said the sponsorship is unchanged because Woods remains the world's best golfer and Tag Heuer does not care about his private life. "We will continue," Sylla told The Associated Press. "He's the best in his domain.

"We respect his performance in the sport," she said, adding that Woods' personal life is "not our business."

Electronic Arts, whose EA Sports division has been selling Tiger Woods video golf games for a decade, said Sunday, “We respect that this is a very difficult, and private, situation for Tiger and his family. At this time, the strategy for our Tiger Woods PGA TOUR business remains unchanged.” The game’s next edition featuring Woods comes out in six months.

Nike Inc. said late Friday it supports Woods’ decision to take time off.  AT&T has said it is evaluating its relationship with the golfer.

That Accenture cuts ties seems appropriate.  Their sponsorship played off the aspects of Integrity and High Performance, 2 elements of the Tiger Woods brand that are missing right now.

Others, such as Tag, EA, and Nike that are more sports-, golf-, (and dare we say, male-,) focused have so much more to lose by disassociating with Tiger that it only makes sense that they would stick by him longer.

If I was a betting man, I'd say that AT&T is the only other sponsor to drop him in the wake of the recent events.

It seems to me that time heals all wounds, and while Tigers' wounds are fresh, it seems like the politically correct thing to do is drop him, but as has been said many times, he's the first billion dollar athlete, and as time passes, if and when he decides to return to golf, all the companies that stand by him have so much to gain that they can't just drop him now.

And besides, if Kobe can get away with a much more heinous act and still earn millions in endorsements, there's no reason Tiger won't be able to do the same.

The Battle of Ontario means something... again.

After disappointing seasons for both Ontario-based teams last year, and the general decline in the Leafs play the last few years in general, the Battle of Ontario, which in the past made for some of the best hockey ever played/watched around these parts, has slowly declined into the so-so, wishful thinking sort of rivalry that makes hockey fans collectively shrug their shoulders at a game between these two Northeast division foes.

Not any more.

Tonight's game between the Eastern Conference's sixth place (with 36 points) and 14th place (with 29 points, just 4 back of 8th place Montreal) has the chance to represent a re-igniting of the once proud rivalry, when the Battle of Ontario once meant something.

(Side bar, most hockey fans will agree that rivalries are cemented come playoff time, and in the early 2000's, when Ottawa's dominance of the Leafs' in the regular season was constantly eclipsed by Toronto's dominance of the higher-seeded Sens teams come spring time, this rivalry was at its peak.)

 


The Leafs, now winners of 8 of their last 10 and 3 in a row at home on Air Canada Centre ice, have the opportunity to make up some serious ground on there provincial opponents as well as their divisional rivals and the East as a whole, with three Northeast games among four this week, and five of the next seven up to Boxing Day.

If this team is to be taken at all seriously this season, the Leafs have no choice but to start reversing their 1-5-3 record in the division. After the Ottawa Senators drop in tonight, the Leafs are down the QEW in Buffalo on Friday and back here against the Boston Bruins on Saturday.

And with 5 games between now and Boxing Day in the suddenly-much-friendlier confines of the Air Canada Centre, the future is now for the 2009-10 Leafs' squad. They simply can't afford another tailspin.

For ticket pricing and availablility for these or any Leafs home or away games, please contact us.