The weirdest part about the whole thing is the Leafs scheduled this one at 2 p.m. on a Tuesday. Well, it's also pretty weird they're playing the Hurricanes, too. I get wanting to commemorate 100 years, but shouldn't they do that against a team like Ottawa or Montreal, cities that had a presence in the NHL of 1917?
And why a 2 p.m. start, given the fact the first game in team history was played at night?
For answers, I asked around the NHL, MLSE and the Leafs organization over the past few days. The idea is actually pretty solid.
Basically, the Leafs want the building full of kids. The rumour is that some schools will be bused in to watch, as Leafs season-ticket holders were encouraged to donate their tickets to this game if they couldn't attend. (Given work and all.)
(If they could go, they were encouraged to bring a young child with them to the game.)
MLSE says they wanted this game to mark “the next 100 years” for fans. They're hoping to make some new Leafs fans by getting kids to their first-ever NHL game, something they would obviously remember for a long time. (I know my first game was
1992 Canucks-Kings at the Pacific Coliseum, for example.)
The game will also be broadcast live in 16 Toronto schools and SickKids hospital as part of coordinated viewing parties put on by the team.
Not a bad way to spend an afternoon at the end of class.