"It's great. This is the place where I grew up, got to come to a couple of NHL games, and fell in love with this dream. It is pretty special to picture myself sitting with my dad up there in the stands watching the game and taking in the whole perspective of that now, being out on the ice. My family didn't have much of a hockey background. Our neighbours actually got us into hockey. My dad got some tickets from an old work buddy, I believe. We didn't come to many games, but I do remember the first game we went to. I was just enamored by the whole process. They had some amazing players at that time - little did I know - with Sakic, Foote, Blake, Hejduk, and all of those guys. It was a cool experience, and it lit that fire under me to want to play in the NHL."
"It is absolutely a test. It's the best team in the league. You have to respect your opponent, but not to the point where you are not playing your game. We have respect for them and know what they're capable of, but we also know we are a good team, and we know what we are capable of. We just have to go out and execute."
The Avalanche remain undefeated in regulation in 21 home games at Ball Arena. The Maple Leafs carry a nine-game points streak and aim to be the first team this season to beat Colorado in regulation at that arena. Brandon Carlo described returning to his hometown rink and recalled how attending early games with his father and neighbours sparked his NHL aspirations. Carlo emphasized that Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are exceptionally fast and creative, and that defenders must stay cognizant while relying on team defense. Max Domi called the matchup a test and stressed respecting Colorado without abandoning Toronto's game plan.
Read at Maple Leafs Hotstove
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