The Hub December 2013/January 2014 | Page 12

The Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs are both part of the Original Six NHL teams Bob Stisic and Mike Stisic are ready for Leafs and Wings to face off Free coffee and wifi A large assortment of new books/local authors Over 40,000 used books 1990 Ottawa Street 519-258-4111 Open 7 days www.juniperbooks.ca “I don’t think it (the rivalry) is as big as it was before because you had, especially in the 50s and 60s, two of the powerhouse teams of that era,” said Serviss. “They are two of the biggest hockey markets. Now that they will play each other more often it will be actually like a new birth of rivalry.” For the most part, if you’re a hockey fan in Windsor-Essex, you cheer for either the Toronto Maple Leafs or the Detroit Red Wings. If you are a Leafs fan you are obligated, as a fan, to dislike the Red Wings and vice versa. What happens though, when a family member cheers for the opposite team that you do? Bob Sisic and his son Mike encounter that very challenge every season. Growing up in a household that was predominantly made up of Maple Leafs fans, Mike Sisic was converted to Red Wings fandom by other family members. “I used to be a Leafs fan, before I knew any better,” joked Mike. “My uncle and grandfather influenced my decisions at a young age. You could say they kind of warped my mind and showed me the right way to go.” Bob and Mike still debate which team is better and jeer each other when their respective teams are playing, winning or losing. However, Mike said it was easier for him to live in his house when the Red Wings were winning Stanley Cups and the Leafs were struggling to compete. They both said it makes the rivalry more intense when family members are involved because there are bragging rights on the line every time the two teams play each other.