Sabres fan first and foremost, born and raised in WNY. However, we didn't have a hockey team until I was 10 so the only hockey we could watch was channel 9 or 11 out of Toronto and that was kind of iffy, messing around with the antenna's a lot. So it was the Leafs who inspired us kids hockey ways... clearing off small ponds or low area's in empty lots so we could play. Our equipment was whatever we could find other than sticks, skates and pucks. Goalie pads were pieces of foam taped to a kids legs, sometimes the actual goal was a big cardboard box, etc. that kind of stuff. We had a blast. Played street hockey in the warm months with the occasional "Car" warning from one of the "goalies".
So, I always have a soft spot for the Leafs if it can't be us. And, we play in a really tough division so its not just the ML's who are an obstacle.
Go Leafs!