Leafs and Wings rekindle old rivalry

[GLG]

Associated Press

Detroit and Toronto are Original Six rivals separated by fewer than 250 miles, but the league-leading Red Wings haven't visited the Maple Leafs in more than four years.

They'll finally return to Toronto on Saturday, looking to start a new winning streak after having their eight-game run snapped by a rare third-period collapse.

Detroit and Toronto are two of the league's oldest rivals, having faced off in seven Stanley Cup finals series by the 1963-64 season. They played as many as six times in a season as recently as 1997-98, but they've met just once overall since the 2003-04 season, with the Red Wings winning 5-1 at home on Dec. 9, 2006. Detroit has not played in Toronto since a 5-2 loss on Dec. 6, 2003.

Windsor Star

"Playing on Hockey Night in Canada, whether it's an afternoon game, early game or one of the late games, everyone from Canada is excited to be part of it," (Kris) Draper said "It's going to be a costly weekend. We haven't been there for four years, so I've been preparing for it. I've been putting away my loonies."

A rabid Leafs fan growing up, Draper sympathizes with the frustrations of Leafs fan. However, he has no mixed options about trying to add to their misery by spoiling another Saturday at the ACC.

"I lost that (being a Leafs fan) pretty well the day I got to Detroit," Draper said. "As a kid, though, going to Maple Leaf Gardens are memories I'll never forget. Going down with my dad, wearing my team hockey jacket. I played with the Don Mills Flyers. I was just so proud walking into that rink with my dad and wearing my hockey jacket. Now, I'm on the ice playing in these games. That's what you get excited about."

Stupid Bettman. First Wings visit to Toronto in over four years? WTF??