TORONTO – It was the best of times for Leafs fans, it was the worst of times for Canucks fans.
Like the famous work by Charles Dickens, two very different playoff realities are setting in for hockey fans in the cities of Toronto and Vancouver.
As Toronto gets ready to host the Boston Bruins in Game 3 with the series tied, the Vancouver Canucks are in San Jose Tuesday night’s game trailing the Sharks 3-0 in the series.
And the support from fans couldn’t be more different.
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford declared Monday “Blue and White Day,” encouraging Torontonians to don blue and white to support the Leafs in their quest for the 2013 Stanley Cup.
Around the city, Leafs Nation is vibrating with anticipation of Monday night’s match up against the Bruins.
The excitement is growing said Damon Kestle, general manager of the Loose Moose, a favourite spot among Leaf fans to watch the games. “Especially after Saturday (the Leafs beat the Bruins 4-2). The atmosphere was amazing, absolutely electrifying.”
Having recently moved to Canada two years ago from London, U.K., Kestle said the fan support in Toronto is truly “amazing” to be a part of.
And while Leafs games are sold out and fetching $13,000 on eBay, a different story is unfolding in Vancouver.
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The Canucks, home to a traditionally passionate fan base, aren’t attending playoff games like they have in previous years.
Ahead of what could potentially be the Canucks last home-game of the playoffs this year, tickets were still available at below face value, said Kingsley Bailey, manager of Vancouver Ticket, a ticket broker operation that’s been around since 1995.
Kingsley said part of the reason fans haven’t been attending playoff games is what he describes as fans being mistreated by ownership.
Before the first Canucks home game management sent out an email offering a 50 per cent discount to employees and their families.
“The fans in Vancouver are in an uproar,” said Bailey. “I’ve talked to so many season ticket holders who are irate and they’re showing how upset they are by not buying playoff tickets.”
Bailey noted that unlike Toronto sports fans who have several pro sports teams to chose from, Vancouver really only has two options in the Canucks and Vancouver White Caps.
“We’re paying ‘A’ grade prices for a ‘D’ grade product,” said Bailey.
Jordan Clarke, a blogger for Nucks Misconduct and CanucksArmy, said in an email that there’s a growing sense of indifference towards the current team throughout the fanbase, which Clarke said is both understandable and ridiculous.
“On one hand the team has had an enviable amount of success over the past decade, and as fans we’ve been treated to some remarkable moments,” said Clarke. “But on the other hand, we’ve watched the same group of players year after year and with the on-ice results seemingly in decline, it’s been more difficult to get emotionally invested each year”
Back in Toronto, Leafs fans are getting ready for their first home-ice playoff game in nine years.
“My dad was a Leafs fan, so I was born into it,” said Julian Sanchez, a writer for the hockey blog Pension Plan Puppets.
Sanchez said it’s important fans go to the games to show their support.
“Players always say they like to play in a packed arena. You don’t want a situation like the Phoenix Coyotes where they play in a half empty arena,” said Sanchez.
Exactly how much fan support impacts a team is difficult to say but it’s impossible not to notice said Sean McIndoe, author of the hockey blog Down Goes Brown.
McIndoe said that last year’s L.A. Kings is a great example of fans rallying around their team who eventually went on to win the Stanley Cup.
“I’m sure for some of the players who haven’t played in the post-season before it was a great experience,” said McIndoe.
The puck drops for game three between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins tonight at 7:00pm.
Global News has complete coverage of the NHL playoffs.
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