The Raptors 905 are somewhat of a hidden-gem or overlooked in terms of good entertainment and…read morehigh-level sports. They play in the G League which is the next level below the NBA. It's arguably the best quality basketball there is in the world outside the NBA, or at the very least, right alongside the Euroleague. And players are fully competitive as they're trying to make an impression so they can get a call up. Granted, some players may not ever have much of a career in the NBA, but a good number of them will. It's fairly well known that Siakam and VanVleet came out of the Raptors 905 and are now considered higher-eschaton players in the NBA. But even now, you can see a player like Ja'Kobe Walter who will almost certainly be playing in the NBA eventually. Ticket prices are very reasonable and with the venue being about 4000 seats, the 'worst' seat is a view many would kill for to see the Raptors. I was there at opening night, and though the attendance was okay, it could certainly be much better. People should really consider seeing the Raptors 905 for something fun to do.

In the team's short history, the Raptors 905 have done well, advancing to the NBA G League Finals…read moretwo times in five years (really, four because the 2019-20 season was cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic). Former NBA All-Star and North Carolina Tar Heel Jerry Stackhouse was the coach of the 905 team that won the G League championship (2017). Stackhouse, now the head coach for Vanderbilt's men's basketball team, was also named G League Coach of the Year (2016-17 was the last season the G League was known as the D-League). A lot of people don't realize that power forward Pascal Siakam, who was picked in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft (27th overall) by the Toronto Raptors, helped the 905 win that 2017 G League title. It was his rookie year in the NBA. He spent part of that season with the 905 and was named G League Finals MVP. Two years later (2019), Siakam won the NBA's Most Improved Player award and helped the Raptors win the NBA championship. He was a key part of that team and continues to be an important player for the Raptors. In 2020, he was named to his first NBA All-Star team. Fred VanVleet was another key player on the Raptors' 2019 NBA championship team that was also on the 905's 2017 G League championship team. Unlike Siakam, VanVleet went undrafted (2016). Both VanVleet and Siakam have only played for the Raptors in the NBA to date and are great examples of how to build an NBA championship team through a G League affiliate. The 905 followed up their championship season with two-straight G League MVP award winners: Lorenzo Brown in 2018 and Chris Boucher in 2019. Brown, who is from Roswell, Georgia (a suburb of Atlanta) and played collegiately for three years at NC State, has appeared in over 100 NBA games. Boucher, who grew up in Montreal and played collegiately for two years at Oregon, currently plays for the Raptors. Unlike Brown, who was the 52nd overall pick (second round) in the 2013 NBA Draft, Boucher went undrafted (2017). The 905's home is the 5,000-seat Paramount Fine Foods Centre (formerly the Hershey Centre) located in Mississauga, part of the Greater Toronto Area. It opened in 1998 and used to be home to the Mississauga Power pro basketball team of the NBL Canada (National Basketball League of Canada). The Power were purchased by the Raptors and became the 905 in 2015. The team name "905" refers to one of the area codes used in the GTA suburbs (905, 289, 365).

the captain of the steelheads Michael McLeod can't handle the spotlight of the ohl how is he going…read moreto deal with it in the nhl? i was at a game this past season i was at ice level in the corner on the side of the steelheads bench he got upset and said to a team mate that there was this person that keeps staring at him, i don't think he noticed that there's and entire arena look at you

The inaugural season of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) kicked off in early January…read more2024. This league is also affectionately known as P-dub, which is easier to say than the acronym. The league consists of these six teams: - Toronto - Ottawa - Montreal - Minnesota - New York - Boston They were supposed to have team names. The league applied for six trademarks, which were considered leaked names. I don't know if this story is true, as you can always get trademarks for names that you think that you want, but aren't forced to use them. It would have been the Toronto Torch. I dig the alliteration. Go, Torch, go! This chant works. Instead, the teams were simply PWHL + location. It seems strange, but there is standardization. When the jerseys were unveiled, they had the location in block letters running diagonally across the front. It looked simple and kind of boring at first, but it grew on fans. I have been watching and supporting Toronto and Minnesota games throughout this season. I like that games are broadcast on YouTube for free. It sure beats my NHL subscription! PWHL Toronto plays their games at Mattamy Athletic Centre, which was formerly Maple Leaf Gardens. Yep, it's where the Toronto Maple Leafs played their games from 1931 till 1999. It's now a mix of an ice hockey rink, a Loblaws supermarket, and a venue where the Toronto Metropolitan University holds convocation and other large events. I have yet to see this team play a game at Mattamy. I suppose that taking in Minnesota Wild games in Saint Paul has torn me away from taking in a PWHL game here. I am consistent, though. I also hadn't been taking in any Toronto Marlies games (American Hockey league) for a longer period. I do love this Toronto team. The majority of the players are Canadian. Many of them recently won gold at the Women's Hockey Championship in April. I like that the PHWL halted all games so that players from this league could participate in this world event. With the Wild out of the playoffs for the first time in a few years, it was nice to check out local hockey. I squeezed in a couple of AHL games before the Marlies exited the playoffs early. PWHL Toronto was the top team in the league during the regular season. I like that the rules are different in this league. This team decided its opponent in the first playoff round. It chose Minnesota, a team that was on a ten-game losing skid. Minnesota seemed to be the easiest team to beat. I am happy to say that my first PWHL game that I attended was in Toronto, at Coca Cola Coliseum. This game was the first PWHL playoff game ever. It was a dream to see two teams that I have supported battle it out. The PWHL is so popular that Mattamy Athletic Centre was deemed too small for the crowd for the first round of the playoffs. It's the main reason why it was moved to the Coliseum. When I first saw Toronto hit the ice and warm up, I could tell that this team was ready. The team looked good. It was a best-of-five-games series. Toronto looked strong, winning the first two games at home. Minnesota proved to be a huge thorn in Toronto's side. Minnesota did a reverse series win and beat the top ranked team. I was sad that my attending PWHL Toronto games was over for this season. However, I was so proud at how great this team did. Sadly, the team lost Natalie Spooner to injury during the playoffs. She had the most goals during the regular season. Her absence affected the team's ability to win the series. I had the best seat for my first and only PWHL game at Coca Cola Coliseum. My ticket was affordable and the food at this venue is excellent. I look forward to next season and taking in at least a PWHL Toronto game at Mattamy Athletic Centre. Here's hoping that Toronto has another successful regular season and ends up hoisting the Walter Cup next year. (222)

Tip: If you purchase a Toronto Marlies ticket. it allows you to take advantage of future ticket…read moresales. I ended up getting 50% off tickets during the regular 2024-2025 season, as well as the 2025 playoffs. When Winnipeg lost its NHL Jets, the city got the Manitoba Moose. We got International Hockey League (IHL) games for a few years before the team became a part of the America Hockey League (AHL). I moved back to the greater Toronto area. I was still a Manitoba Moose fan. I took in Toronto Marlies game at the Ricoh (now Coca-Cola) Coliseum whenever the team played the Moose. The Marlies are the farm team of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Tickets for the latter are expensive. I took in a Leafs game a decade ago. My ticket at the 300-level of Air Canada Centre (now Scotiabank Arena) was just under $200. I saw players looking like coffee beans moving around on a white surface, which was the rink. Marlies tickets are exceptionally affordable. I haven't broken the bank getting one. My recent first-round playoff ticket was $27 before taxes thanks to a 50% off deal. I stopped going to AHL games for over a decade. It's likely because I ended up being a Minnesota Wild season ticket holder. Last year, the Wild didn't make the playoffs. The Toronto Marlies did for the Calder Cup. I got a chance to see this team play the Belleville Senators (farm team of the Ottawa Senators) in the first round. Sadly, the Marlies didn't win the series. This year, the Marlies played the Cleveland Monsters in the first round of the playoffs. I saw both teams play in January. The Monsters won the game. I was hoping that the Marlies would win yesterday. It was a three-game series. Sadly, the Monsters won in double overtime and ended the hockey season for the Marlies. It was my first double overtime game that I have experienced at any arena. I liked that concession stands continued to stay open. It was a bit sad that many folks left after the third period. My guess is that most folks wanted to go home to see the Leafs play the Senators. I don't know. If you're at the game and it goes into overtime, I feel the need to support my team. It was a heartbreaking lost, but I was so proud that the Marlies made it an exciting game, including a penalty shot that got the Marlies a goal. I like attending Marlies games. I like the swag that you get here and there, from a beanie, to a rally towel. Entering Coca-Cola Coliseum is straightforward. You get your ticket scanned from your phone. You go through security without taking anything out of your pockets. It's easy. I frankly like the good eats at Marlies games. It's better than anything at Scotiabank Arena. The quality is just as good as the food at Xcel Energy Center. Even if you're not a diehard hockey fan, come for the food. Grilled cheese. Mac and cheese (I got shells and corkscrew pasta shapes, which seem fancy). House-made potato chips. Chili beef foot-long hot dogs. Everything that I have had has been fantastic. There is a merchandise store. It's not open after the game, which is weird. I have a Marlies cap that is comfortable. I finally got a Marlies t-shirt yesterday, which is super soft and comfortable. I thought that I'd just be a one-team AHL supporter. I started with the Manitoba Moose. I added the Marlies when I moved back to the GTA. I added the Iowa Wild, the farm team of the Minnesota Wild. It's good hockey and extremely affordable. I like the Marlies. The players are fun to watch. Ticket prices are wonderfully affordable. I'd sooner take in a ton of Marlies games than breaking the bank on a Leafs ticket and bringing binoculars to the game. (142)

Toronto Marlies($35.00/Sides) is a good deal for a First-time Live Hockey game watcher in the City…read moreof Toronto. This is in consideration that University of Toronto Blues is not worth watching, while the Toronto Maple Leafs are impossible to get a hold of and even at that it would cost you a months RENT or two. Playing the Hamilton Bulldogs, we found that we were sitting along a full age demographics here from Newborns to Retired Elders. I would say there's a much higher ratio of Under 10 then any other age group. They were all dressed in their own Hockey Jerseys meaning they are in a Hockey program of some sort. Greg Scott, Joey Crabb did well and Jerry D'Amigo won it for Marlies during the Overtime Shootout while Max Pacioretty was the lone scorer that kept his Bulldogs in the game. Fyi, at this moment in time the Marlies(9-7-0) have a better record than the Maple Leafs(7-9-3) but neither is something to be too excited about unfortunately.

Was a great experience. Super tailgating atmosphere. Super fans and nice stadium. Great Buffalo…read moreexperience.

Great team with amazing and fun fans. Got to see the game against the Chiefs just in the middle of…read moreTaylor Swift's Eras Tour concerts and while we were rooting for the Chiefs it was fun to see the Bills fans stopping the undefeated streak of the Chiefs. Highmark Stadium is a fun environment and it is likely more cost effective to build a new stadium than keep this one and it's not historic like Lambeau, so hopefully the new one is even better. Tailgating is so much fun too with all the wonderful food and merch stands. Bloomfield's Pub was amazing. There were plenty of local express busses to the game but we chose to stay in Niagara Falls, Canada and take Rally which was fun and crazy except the long ride back getting through traffic and then customs but well worth it.

Go Chicks Ahoy!!! (That's right, three explanation points. I'm nothing if not grammatically…read moreoffensive. Bite it, Strunk Jr.) So, the championship bout was last week: Gore Gore Girls vs. Chicks Ahoy! in a battle most thought the Gore Gores would easily win...Hell, I had kind of got used to their dominance, and those blow-out scores (as noted in my review). I was hoping for a fun game. What'd I get? Sheer domination by the Chicks Ahoy! WOO! The game started with relative equality, but then the Gore Gore's "Bambi" took to the track for her first jam. Bambi is one of the league's best offensive players, lanky and awkward but fast and agile. Did she rack up a 20 point jam for a big early lead? No. Not even close. She got *brutalized*. I mean rocked, and the Chicks sent a defining early message: the Gore Gores were gonna get hurt at every turn, and every point was gonna come with a price. And it just got worse from there as the Chicks built up a sizeable lead while mercilessly punishing the Gore Gores. By game's end, the Gore Gores were down (I think) three players, and stars Bambi and Dust Bunny had taken turns as blockers due to the injury depleted lineup. The score differential was insurmountable, and the Gore Gores were simply playing for pride. Bambi suffered badly in this game, beaten up every time she took to the track, and to see her come out and serve as a blocker late in the game with the score out of reach... damn. That's guts, man, determination and heart all the way. My hat's off to the Chicks -- especially Mega Bouche, Nasher the Smasher, and Marmighty, the gals who really set the tone for the game and punished the defending champions en-route to becoming the ToRD 2011 Champs! I can't wait for next season!

You just want to give 4 or 5 stars, out of the goodness of your heart. I almost gave 2 stars, but…read moreI can see how this event could have been better, and with my knowledge, you will learn. 1) They only serve beer. I'm pretty sure the girls around me (roller derby type girls, if you will) were all fine with beer, because they are tough and strong and confident in their womanhood. But I'm not, and I like to drink a sweet drink outta a straw. So keep this in mind, and if you're like me, bring a water bottle with your own beverage choice inside. 2) It's pretty expensive. Ours was a double header, so I guess it is like 4 HOURS of entertainment, but you're also sitting on a metal bench for that amount of time. $18 at the door. Each. So....more than a movie, which is pretty much my bench mark for "things that are too expensive to do on a date". 3) Parking is free. Everyone was super nice and the audience was totally into it. 4) It's way in the middle of no where. For me, at least. And everyone else but the guys who work at Idomo. 5) They sold my friend 50/50 tickets and then I said, "You should find out when the draw is," and then they said it was basically 3 hours from then. I understand WHY they do that - so that everyone wants to stay WELL past when they would - but they should mention this when selling, because it left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Or maybe that was the beer.

In terms of the number of trophies won, Toronto FC is near the top of MLS. However, most of…read moreToronto's trophies are Canadian Championship trophies. Not to downplay the Canadian Championship, but only three of the current 28 MLS teams are eligible to compete for the Canadian Championship: CF Montreal (Montreal Impact), Toronto FC, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Other Canadian Championship participants come from lower-level leagues such as the Canadian Premier League (CPL) and League1 Ontario. Since the Canadian Championship's first year in 2008, the finalists have always included two of Canada's three aforementioned MLS teams. The only exception was in 2020 when Forge FC of Hamilton, Ontario qualified for the final against Toronto. Forge is from the CPL and won back-to-back CPL championships in 2019 and 2020. Toronto FC (7) and CF Montreal (5) have combined to win 12 of the 14 Canadian Championships so far. When it comes to MLS play, Toronto won the Supporters' Shield (best regular season record) and the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2017. It was the team's 11th season. To date, the 2017 MLS Cup is the team's only league championship, a 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders at BMO Field in Toronto. American forward Jozy Altidore was named MLS Cup MVP. He had the opening goal. Around this time, Italian forward Sebastian Giovinco was the star of the team. Giovinco played for Toronto from 2015 to 2019. In his first year, he won three MLS awards: Newcomer of the Year, Golden Boot (most goals in the regular season with 22), and MVP. Giovinco was the team's top scorer for four straight seasons, 2015-2018. Toronto recently had another player win the MLS MVP Award in 2020: Spanish midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo. Pozuelo joined the team in 2019 and is still currently with the team. He's taken over as the leading scorer for Toronto since the departure of Giovinco. Greg Vanney was Toronto's head coach during the "championship era." It was his first head coaching job. A former LA Galaxy player, Vanney has been the Galaxy's head coach since January 2021. Conversely, Bob Bradley has been Toronto's head coach since November 2021. He came over from Galaxy rival LAFC (Los Angeles Football Club).

Went to watch Toronto FC for the first time at BMO fields and it was a fun experience. The stadium…read morewas limited in capacity due to COVID restrictions, but that made it easier to move around and enjoy the stadium. We sat in our actual seats for the first half and then walked around and were let in the beer garden area which is usually reserved for season ticket holders etc. Atmosphere was lively and make sure you join in the team spirit with the chants and noise. I can see why people often compliment the Toronto FC experience. Parking & Beer & food & water were extremely over priced as expected. The game ended up being a tie, but we had a good time!

If in Buffalo and looking for something fun to do, I would highly recommend going to a Queen City…read moreRoller Girls game. We had a blast watching one of their teams play at the Buffalo Riverworks. This was my first roller derby and I was surprised by the level of professional, clean, and competitive fun nature of the sport. I liked that while watching the game the announcer educated you on the sport of roller derby and the calls and the game play. I love roller skating, and I walked away wishing I lived in the area and could try out their next boot camp that they were advertising for those interested in trying it out.

Queen City Roller Girls consists of four home teams, The Alley Kats, Devil Dollies, Nickle City…read moreKnockouts and the Suicidal Saucies. So pick your team and get out and support your local derby girls who in turn support the community! A super fun way to spend a Saturday night!!