Classic

ot unexpected but still quite sudden is how the temperature outside has quickly dropped. The sun seems to quite fond these days of sleeping in and receding earlier, and each day starts cold and turns colder. Long sleeve shirts have been dusted off, sweaters are being hung in closets, hoodies are becoming staples and soon enough the weather will warrant toques and scarves for their original rather than fashionable properties.

It's October,, autumn is in full swing and with each passing day we huddle ourselves towards another Canadian winter.

As depressing and tiring as this is, it does bring with something grand and wonderful, the start of the hockey season. This is the best time to be a sports fan, Hockey begins, the NFL is well underway, basketball is around the corner and the weather outside makes it easier to find excuses to stay in, have a drink and warm yourself with the company of someone special.

What better way to usher in this oh so Canadian time of year than with the oh so Canadian classic of Leafs vs. Habs. Nothing finer. Nothing finer.

The one sport that defines our country and the one match up that has defined generations of Canadians kicks off the season tonight. There is nothing like watching a new season live up to the weighty ghosts of our hockey pasts and thinking that maybe, just maybe this team might be worthy of carying our pride and burden in this beautiful city.

For better or worse we throw our lot in with the leafs year in and year out, through the many disappointments and some might say few joys, we maintain our fidelity against our better judgement but we do this with our hearts not minds. There is no other way nor would I have it any other way. To be a Leaf fan is to be a in a place that borders mad and beautiful.

So to all us good luck, godspeed and Go Leafs Go! Raise a glass, spark a smoke, put on a toque and sit back and let our fall classic sweep you into long dark nights of winter. Hear the skates cut the ice, the roar of the crowd, the clatter of the posts, the crack of a stick and know that it is in this dark time of the year when we as Canadians renew ourselves.

For those of our kin overseas, it's Hockey Night in Canada, we know that no matter where you find yourself on this planet, you're with us more than ever at this time of year.


I leave you with this...
the good ol' hockey game is the best game you can name
and the best game you can name is the goold ol' hockey game
-Stompin Tom Connors

peacelovefreedomjustice
-s

"this has been a bursting message of love from the freecity."