Thursday July 17, 2008
CityNews.ca Staff (STORY LINK)

Toronto Maple Leafs fans are probably among the most passionate sports enthusiasts you'll find, but only a fraction of that enormous fan base can actually afford tickets to see a game.

But this week's announcement of free tickets for a pre-season game should boost hockey buffs' hopes of seeing their beloved Buds up close on the ice.

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment added an extra pre-season game to the schedule and every ticket to that Sept. 22 match-up against the Buffalo Sabres will be given away for free as part of a promotion with a popular soft-drink maker.

Leafs games are known for the suited and corporate season ticket holders that often quietly and calmly occupy the rows closest to the ice, but this giveaway should create a much different atmosphere in the Air Canada Centre with enthusiastic families filling the usually pricey seats.

"Getting more young kids in the building always adds to the excitement (and) just makes it noisier," Tom Anselmi, MLSE's executive vice-president and chief operating officer, said. "That's what kids are about.
  
"I think this one we're probably going to hear the noise metre go off the scale because there's going to be a lot of kids (and) a lot of families."

A large crowd of noisy fans turned up for the ticket giveaway announcement Wednesday and each person received two free tickets - many received their passes from Leafs players, including Matt Stajan and Curtis Joseph.

The remaining tickets will be handed out through a series of upcoming promotions and events.