Puck Stop	Sabres and Leafs Go At It Again by Andrew Kulyk & Peter Farrell

We know the routine by now, don’t we? The Toronto Maple Leafs come to town, and that means thousands of blue- and white-clad Leafs fans packing HSBC Arena, chants of “Let’s Go Buffalo!” and “Go Leafs Go!” competing for bragging rights, a super-energized crowd and two teams feeding off the frenzy, and some epic fights (although last week there seemed to be more of those in the stands than on the ice). This past Friday, Buffalo spanked Toronto 5-2 before a packed house, thanks in part to Tim Connolly’s two goals and some superb netminding by Marty Biron.

Sabres fans poured into the streets cheering and honking their horns. For Leafs fans, a long ride home and hopes for a better result next time.

So is this a “rivalry”? Here in Buffalo we seem to think so, but talk to people in Leafs country, and they have a different take.

The origins of this ongoing battle go all the way back to November 18, 1970. The expansion Sabres were making their first visit ever to the hallowed Maple Leaf Gardens. For Sabres coach Punch Imlach, who had been fired by the Leafs despite leading the team to four Stanley Cups in the ’60s (they haven’t won any since), this would be a historic and emotional return.

When Imlach stepped out behind the Sabres bench after the anthems were sung, that first glimpse prompted a long and noisy standing ovation from the Leafs faithful, so much so that the game was delayed more than 15 minutes before the crowd settled down.

The Sabres, a ragtag collection of kids and castoffs and some rookie named Gilbert Perreault, then responded by thrashing the Leafs 7-2 on their home ice. Many would say the love affair between Buffalo fans and their Sabres began on that night. The next day there was a buzz on Buffalo’s streets. People were snapping up seats and signing up for subscriptions in that newfangled orange balcony set to open the following season. Within two months a sellout streak began for the Sabres that would stretch well into the ’80s.

Incredibly, the Sabres and Leafs would not meet in the playoffs until 1999. Talk to former player and now broadcaster Rob Ray, and he’ll tell you that the Sabres/Leafs rivalry is alive and well. “That playoff win in game five, in their building, on their ice, stands among my top three nights as a Buffalo Sabre,” said Ray.

But Rob! Didn’t you score a goal in game three of that series? And how about all those classic fights between you and Tie Domi? “Yeah we fought a lot, but to beat ’em there…” he pauses, “… all you ever hear about is ‘Toronto Toronto,’ but we broke their backs that night to get to the Finals. They think they’re the Yankees of the NHL, but to win the way we did is indescribable.”

Sabres forward Adam Mair grew up in Ontario and followed the Leafs regularly. “They’re on CBC every Wednesday and Saturday, so it’s always special to be able to play against them. But in the end it’s just another hockey game, and we have to do our jobs.” Coach Lindy Ruff added, “Seeing all those Leafs fans in our building always makes for an entertaining night.”

So when the Sabres play in Toronto, why don’t our fans descend in droves on the Air Canada Centre? The answer is simple—Leafs games are completely sold out, and tickets are scarce… and expensive. “If anything, interest in the Leafs and demand for tickets has just increased since the lockout ended,” said team spokesman Craig Downey.

But talk to Leafs enforcer Tie Domi and he plays down any rivalry between his Leafs and Buffalo. “Nope, nope, isn’t what it used to be,” harrumphed Domi as he spoke of rivalries from the Leafs perspective. “When our fans think of rivals, we think of Ottawa and Philadelphia. Heck, your guys haven’t even been IN the playoffs for how long now?”

The Leafs come to Buffalo three more times this season, and are certain sellouts. Let’s get the drill down right now. Leafs fans pack the arena, fill our hotels, jam our restaurants, trash talk all over downtown Buffalo, and in the end… the long, somber ride back up the QEW. Sounds like a plan!

TARO SEZ…

• Carolina’s Erik Cole accomplished an NHL first while playing the Sabres last week. He became the first player ever to attempt two penalty shots in one period.

• While the Sabres dominate the Leafs, they’re still the ugly stepchild to Ontario’s other NHL club. In three losses against Ottawa, the Sabres have been outscored 21-5.

• For hockey fans around the world, the time is near. Just 85 more days until the 2006 Olympic Winter Games open in Turin, Italy.