‘The venerable Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Team failed to make it to the playoffs yet again. This has become a normal seasonal occurance by what is (by far) the most profitable professional hockey franchise in the world.
Fan support is so intense and so certain, the owners do not feel the need to spend the millions of dollars it takes to put together a winning team. The Leafs have not won since 1967
But hockey is Canada’s National Sport and it is a rough-and-tumble sport with no faked injuries, or diving when checked and no backing down from a confrontation. (In other words, lots of fights!)
When a foul is charged against an opposing player a “penalty” is assessed to the offender by the referee. Professional hockey players have been known to take matters into their own hands. They do this quite often.
They face their opponent, they toss their sticks aside, drop their gloves and go at it with their fists. This is just considered to be just another “part of the game”.
With the Leafs out of the championship hunt (yet again), you might think that the hockey season is over in Toronto. (But you would be wrong.)
Toronto is also home to an American Hockey League (AHL) Team – the Toronto Marlboroughs (or simply “The Marlies”).
The AHL consists of professional “Minor League” teams which serve as “farm teams” for the National Hockey League (NHL) Teams. Players are all awaitng the “call up” to teams of the NHL and a shot at the big money paid in that exalted league.
Marlies home games are played at the Ricoh Arena in the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) Grounds about 20 minutes from the hostel.
As of this writing, the Marlies are still in the hunt for their league’s championship. With the AHL you have the opportunity to catch some seriously wide-open, hard-hitting hockey for a fraction of the cost of NHL tickets ($28 asopposed to $160 ofr NHL tickets).
And in the minor leagues all players are giving 100% effort in order to impress NHL “Scouts” who are always in attendance.
The Marlies season has just ended but there is still a Toronto Raptors Basketball Game this Sunday and baseball season begins today April 7th!
Blue Jays home games will be a regular part of hostel “special events” when we will escort you to a game at a ridiculously low price.
(Watch our website for details of upcoming baseball games as well as Toronto FC - Professional Soccer League games.)
