TORONTO -- Battle of Ontario?
Sorry Ottawa. That's old news, especially with the snoozefest these two supposed hated foes turned in at the Air Canada Centre Tuesday.
Maple Leafs versus Habs?
One of the most special matchups in all of pro sports, admittedly. along with being one of the oldest.
But now, thanks to the NHL's decision yesterday to fine the Leafs in the wake of tampering charges involving their alleged pursuit of the Sedins twins, welcome to a spicy new rivalry north of the 49th parallel.
Vancouver Canucks versus Toronto Maple Leafs.
Mike Gillis versus Brian Burke.
No love lost here.
Whenever the Leafs make a rare visit to the Left Coast, it is always a circus-like atmosphere, with the number of transplanted Ontarians now residing in beautiful B.C.
Now, with Canucks and Leafs management at bitter loggerheads, the Oct. 24 visit of the blue-and-white to GM Place will have the inflated hype normally reserved for a postseason tilt.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly has ordered both teams to be muzzled concerning Sedin-Gate.
But Burke doesn't forget. And, in some cases, forgive.
Just ask Kevin Lowe, who was ripped by the ornery Irishman for signing Dustin Penner to an offer sheet two years ago.
The Leafs were fined for the "innappropriate" comments issued by coach Ron Wilson back on June 30. At that time Wilson, speaking on Toronto radio, implied the Leafs might pursue pending unrestricted free agents Daniel and Henrik Sedin.
Unfortunately for Wilson, the Sedins still were under contract with the Canucks at the time.
There were reports the fine was of the five-figure variety, although neither side would confirm the amount. Daly said a league investigation did not reveal any further improper conduct by the Leafs.
Nor was Burke punished for a statement he made during a recently released Leafs TV documentary shot at the 2009 June entry draft. Burke, addressing his war room, suggests the Canucks offered Kevin Bieksa, Alex Burrows and their No. 1 pick in order to land the No. 2 overall selection, allegedly to snap up defenceman Victor Hedman.
The documentary has been a hot topic in Vancouver the past week, with the Canucks hoping the league would sanction the Leafs for Burke's comments.
Get the feeling Burke and Gillis won't be dining together when the Leafs arrive in Vancouver later this month?
Too bad these teams only meet once a season, isn't it?
MIKE.ZEISBERGER@SUNMEDIA.CA
