While I am bias in favour of Toronto, having spent 4 years in Montreal, I think I have a fairly solid view of Montreal vs Toronto when it comes to sports.
I have been to Leaf games at the ACC, a Habs game at Centre Bell + 1 split squad game + one playoff away game shown on big screen. I have also been to watch the Missisauga Majors (then called), the Toronto Marlies and the Montreal Juniors (then called).
My findings:
1. In general the Bell Centre for Habs games is louder than the ACC for Leaf games. The one regular season Habs game I saw was against the Panthers, Louis Leblanc scored the winner and when he did, the arena got louder than any Leaf game I had ever been to up to that point. The only time since when I saw the ACC louder for a Leafs game was during the playoffs the next year. I think most people agree with this.
2. Toronto Teams are too "corporate focused". Pro teams know that firms and businesses will buy large amount of tickets so naturally the atmosphere can sometimes suffer. That being said, it also means people SHOW UP
3. Toronto is truly a hockey town. We get called "leafs town" but when you look at the fact the Marlies have gotten strong showings the past few years. While the number of teams in the GTA has shrunk, there are still the Majors (Steelheads) and the Generals. There is also an ECHL team in Brampton. Of course the GTHL is the largest hockey league in the world. THe OHL Cup for 15-16 year old minor midgets still gets way more attention than any league with 15 year old kids.
4. I dont like to crap on Montreal, but it seems to me to be more of a Habs town. The Juniors are obviously gone and as people have stated, if the team goes on a slide, there will be a noticeable shrinking in the attendence. A lot of people dont even know hockey, but because Price and Subban are plastered on bus stops and walls all over the city, they are still heroes in the way Phaneuf, Reimer and Kessel never will be
