'Hi, I need a loan...for Leafs' tickets.' (H)

Oh, yeah. That title ain't kiddin', folks.

The cost of tickets for single games of the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre (a.k.a. the ACC) might be enough to take out a home equity loan for.

Face value of the cheapest seats is $45(Canadian). The cheapest seat in the secondary market is going for $75 each. The cheapest seat in the secondary market for lower level seats (face value: $120) is $198 each. (And that's not even on the end where the Minnesota Wild shoot in the first and third periods.)

And, if you want the REALLY good seats (Platinum Club, lower level sides) they're available, too. Face value: $245 (ouch!) Secondary market value: $665 (and up).

You have to be hockey-crazed to pay those kind of prices, Yet, the building will be absolutely full when the puck drops on November 10, when the Wild face the Leafs at the ACC (the day after the Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony nearby at the HHOF). The Leafs, who haven't won a Stanley Cup since 1967, who haven't been in the playoffs since 2003. The Leafs, who are the de facto 'cash cow' for the Ontario Teachers' Pension Pool (hence the aptly-named Leafs' blog, "Pension Plan Puppets"), who have been mis-managed for years. Yeah, that Maple Leafs franchise.

Now you know why we have to save in other ways (like hotels, meals, transportation, etc.) in order to get there. Because, it sure as hell won't happen at the box office.