Impact-TFC game latest battle in decades-long Montreal-Toronto sports rivalry
MLS Cup Eastern final meeting to mark another classic sports moment between the two cities
Montreal and Toronto have built a feisty rivalry on the soccer pitch in recent years, and sparks are bound to fly when the two teams clash for leg one of the MLS Eastern conference final at the Olympic Stadium on Nov. 22.
It will mark yet another chapter in the book of bragging rights used between the fans of the two biggest Canadian sports markets.
Here is a look back at a few of the other chapters in the Montreal-Toronto sports rivalry.
Hockey
Most recent important game: April 7, 2007
Winner - TORONTO
It was the final game of the 2006-07 NHL season for Montreal, and the Habs needed a win to make the playoffs.
It seemed like the bleu-blanc-rouge were on their way to the post-season after Mike Ryder notched a hat trick as part of a four-goal rush in the second period, but Montreal couldn't hold onto its 5-3 lead. Toronto scored late in the second period and then twice more in the third period to end the Habs season. Kyle Wellwood had the game-winning goal.
Most recent playoff match-up: April 16 to 22, 1979
Winner - MONTREAL
The Leafs and Habs last knocked helmets in the NHL playoffs way back in 1979. It wasn't much of a contest as the Habs, led by Guy Lafleur, swept the Leafs in four games.
Most recent championship match-up: April 20 to May 2, 1967
Winner - TORONTO
In the final year of original six hockey, the Toronto Maple Leafs knocked off the Montreal Canadiens in six games to win the Stanley Cup. Leaf fans know this all too well, but this is the last time Toronto hoisted the Stanley Cup.
Football
Most Recent playoff match-up: Nov. 18, 2012
Winner - TORONTO
The Montreal Alouettes had designs on winning a third Grey Cup in four years, but it was not to be. The Toronto Argos came into the Olympic Stadium and beat the home team 27-20 to win the Eastern final.
The game's decisive play was when Anthony Calvillo threw a potentially game-tying pass to Brian Bratton, but Bratton dropped the ball in the end zone, ending Montreal's season.
It would turn out to be the last CFL game coached by Marc Trestman. Toronto went on to win the 100th Grey Cup over Calgary.
Second most recent playoff match-up: Nov. 21, 2010
Winner - MONTREAL
Montreal was the defending Grey Cup champion, fresh off a 12–6 regular season when the upstart Argos came into the Olympic Stadium for the Eastern final. The game was a 48-17 blow-out. Montreal went on to beat Saskatchewan to claim back-to-back Grey Cups.
Soccer
Most recent playoff match-up: Oct. 29, 2015
Winner - MONTREAL
Toronto FC were in the MLS post-season for the first time in their franchise history, and the Montreal Impact were hosting an MLS playoff game for the first time in their history when these two sides met for a knock-out game at Saputo Stadium in late October 2015.
Most recent championship match-up: June 4, 2014
Winner - MONTREAL
After drawing 1-1 in leg one of the 2014 Canadian Championship final, the series shifted to Montreal for game two. Toronto needed to score to have any hope of advancing, but that hope was dashed for the Reds when Felipe Martins scored a goal in the 91st minute to guarantee Montreal the Canadian title.
The win would put Montreal in the CONCACAF champions league, where the Impact would ride a wave of momentum to become the first Canadian side to advance all the way to the final.