- Jan 22, 2007
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Scotiabank Arena vs. Maple Leaf Gardens
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- Jan 22, 2007
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The first time I was at the Gardens was in January, 1994 for 2 games and it was one of the greatest hockey experiences I've ever had in my life. I remember it was snowing, very cold, but after a few beers at early dinner I felt great--so the walk to the Gardens was fabulous. The Leafs won both games--defeating the Senators and the Canucks.
Here are the box scores from the games...
Thursday, Jan., 6th, 1994 vs. Ottawa Senators
Saturday, Jan., 8th, 1994 vs. Vancouver Canucks
The Man with a Plan
Registered User
Hands down the ol Gardens is my favorite arena ever. Not even close.
The way it shook when the crowd was going nutz is unmatched.
I can still hear the roar of Wendal Wendal so loud you could actually feel the entire building shake to its very core. Like an earthquake.
Had family tickets at the Gardens for decades. Cannot fathom how many games i went to.
I waa lucky enough to go the last game at MLG and the first at ACC. Yes it was nicer and modern... but it was missing something.
It wasn't Mean.
The Gardens used to be an intimidating place to play. No suits front and center. Just ravenous fans ready to blow the roof off
The Gardens was hockey at its essence.
The ACC doesn't even matter to me
Now its the SBC
About as much thought and taste in that name as a McDonald's burger
The way it shook when the crowd was going nutz is unmatched.
I can still hear the roar of Wendal Wendal so loud you could actually feel the entire building shake to its very core. Like an earthquake.
Had family tickets at the Gardens for decades. Cannot fathom how many games i went to.
I waa lucky enough to go the last game at MLG and the first at ACC. Yes it was nicer and modern... but it was missing something.
It wasn't Mean.
The Gardens used to be an intimidating place to play. No suits front and center. Just ravenous fans ready to blow the roof off
The Gardens was hockey at its essence.
The ACC doesn't even matter to me
Now its the SBC
About as much thought and taste in that name as a McDonald's burger
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Loved the Gardens. Only went to two games myself but there was just a total different feel. It really felt like a hockey game, lots of organ
- Jan 22, 2007
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Awesome memories.
Yes, I remember the roar of the crowd in 94 as well. When they touched the puck and started a rush, or a big hit, or an Andreychuk shot that just missed the top corner--the "oohs" and "aahs" had a "heavy" sound to them, if that makes sense? The fans really loved that Leafs team--Wendel, Dougie, Andreychuk, The Cat--they were exciting. Even the game against Ottawa was exciting, although they were still a new team and weren't great.
I also couldn't get over how bright white the ice was. It was like glass--beautiful. The concourse was grungy and loaded with character and charm--like you said--hockey at its essence.
TheBeastCoast
Registered User
Always been kinda a shame to me that really there will never be buildings that get revered in modern times like the ones from past generations. It is just a constant race to build the new one after your old building doesn't have enough luxury boxes anymore in it's 30th year in use.
- Dec 12, 2017
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I get you, but I vote with modern.
I love historical buildings and I loved Maple Leafs Gardens , but I’m all for building new modern facilities. The fan experience is enhanced when modern technology is used. For example, TD Ballpark in Dunedin is so much better than the old dated stadium even though I loved that old place, but they were able to keep the perfect location and give us many more amenities.
Al14
Registered User
- Jul 13, 2007
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All I need to know - is there toilet paper available for sale on the shelves in the Loblaws at the old Gardens?
- Jan 22, 2007
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Yes, many of the new arenas are just big, cookie-cuter arenas that offer nothing special except overpriced beers and TV screens telling you when to cheer. But I've been to 9 of them and SBA and the Bell Centre are definitely the best of the bunch. What I really like about the SBA--and it might sound odd--are the different color seats. It's almost a throwback, or a nod, to Maple Leaf Gardens in a way. It at least makes the building look neater, aesthetically.
The Gardens had more "atmosphere" about it. There was something about coming off the subway, walking down the street, seeing the marquee, and soaking in the history as you made your way to your seat.
SBA just sort of feels like an extension of Union Station with more food kiosks.
SBA just sort of feels like an extension of Union Station with more food kiosks.
The buzz and atmosphere around MLG is incomparable to the current stadium. Forgotten is how small it was. A man of average height's knees were perilously close to the heads of the patrons in the next row. There were no great concourses. It wasn't a mall food court, it was a place with some B&W pics on the wall of players from the distant past where you came to see a hockey game. You watched a hockey game there. If the game was boring, the crowd got quiet. If the game was listless, the crowd got restless. If the game got exciting, there was genuine crowd reaction and buzz.
Men's washroom was a large trough in the center of the room. The Coke was flat and warm because they were pre-filled then Saran wrapped. There really wasn't a bad seat for line of sight and distance. The neighbourhood was seedy. The people hanging outside the place were even seedier. The thing was built in the height of the Depression with high quality materials in what was a poor neighbourhood at the time.
Men's washroom was a large trough in the center of the room. The Coke was flat and warm because they were pre-filled then Saran wrapped. There really wasn't a bad seat for line of sight and distance. The neighbourhood was seedy. The people hanging outside the place were even seedier. The thing was built in the height of the Depression with high quality materials in what was a poor neighbourhood at the time.
Inside the Palace: Maple Leaf Gardens in 1990
CBC reporter Allen Abel tours of one of hockey's most venerated buildings after the death of owner Harold Ballard.
killer1980
Registered User
Lotta things to like about ole MLG. First for me, if you sat low enough or in the end blues you actually had a shot at getting a puck. I understand the reasoning for the netting but still don't have to like it. You could sit close to and even walk behind the players benches. I once witnessed Bob Gassoff climbing the stairs behind the visiting bench to get to a heckler. It was so intimate and for us old-timers we could see many of the days stars at the games, Al Waxman, Tommy Hunter, Larry D Mann, Johnny Wayne, even a young Mike Myers and they were all very approachable. It was, by far, the greatest sporting venue I have ever been at and I've been to a lot.
HellasLEAF
'93 to Infinity
- Sep 14, 2006
- 15,364
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Unless its during a Raptors playoff game. Then the seams get blown off the roof
- Jan 22, 2007
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I can imagine the atmosphere in the garden was much better and brought the city together more. Pre social media and all
- Jan 22, 2007
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Let me ask you about that. When I visited in 94, the neighborhood by the Gardens seemed very "lively." I remember going to the games--walking to them from a good distance--and never feeling out of place. Then again, there were tons of people walking in unison to the game--and we also spent some time at a nearby bar.
However, when I went back in 2008 or so, we went to the "Gardens" to look at the exterior. Right across the street there was a sports bar--so we spent a few hours there. It was literally across the street--you could look out the window and see the Gardens. The brick exterior was still up perfectly--it wasn't like the Montreal Forum--completely changed. The thing I noticed was that the bar was very seedy! The neighborhood was too. I remember walking out through an area with boards and scaffolding and there were very seedy people in there.
I don't remember it being like that at all in 94--but when I went back I was shocked--definitely not an area to hangout.
I've only been in MLG twice and SBA 1 time.
'93 Only got to walk into the main hallway back then, this was about mid training camp sometime and the girl at the desk wouldnt let my Dad and I inside but could watch through a door window. Even then as an 11 year old it was a cool moment for me and became a Leafs fan that day. I then went back about 2011/12 when it was part of a grocery store. It was a really awkward feeling going in there almost 20 years later and thinking where this team once skated was now a grocery store.
The one time I was at SBA was around 2012 when they did tours of SBA (not sure if they still do tours) It was during a Leafs game day so there was only certain spots we were allowed to go into. I hope they still do tours i'd like to do one again on a non event day. It was cool going into the Foster Hewitt and checking out the luxury suites still didnt have that MLG feel to it and never will.
ACC1224
Super Elite, Passing ALL Tests since 2002
- Aug 19, 2002
- 75,997
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Been to both rinks 100's of times.
Gardens had the historic aura to it but that was about it.
Never been a fan of the ACC . They rushed the build when the Leafs bought the Raptors and as a result there are many things that seem poorly thought out.
Seems typical of ownership(whoever it might be). No matter how they try, they always seem to get it wrong.
Look forward to the next new building. Hopefully they get that one right.
Gardens had the historic aura to it but that was about it.
Never been a fan of the ACC . They rushed the build when the Leafs bought the Raptors and as a result there are many things that seem poorly thought out.
Seems typical of ownership(whoever it might be). No matter how they try, they always seem to get it wrong.
Look forward to the next new building. Hopefully they get that one right.
