RECORD AUDIENCE TUNES INTO LEAFS GAME ON SPORTSNET ONTARIO

TORONTO (February 25, 2011) – Rogers Sportsnet recorded its biggest regional hockey audience ever with 982,000 (2+ BBM) viewers for the Toronto Maple Leafs-Montreal Canadiens game on Thursday, February 24 on Sportsnet Ontario.

The broadcast for the Leafs and Canadiens game peaked at 1.3 million in the third period. BBM Canada's overnight preliminary data of 982,000 was 33 per cent above last season’s Leafs' average audience of 656,000 (A2+). The previously highest-rated Leaf broadcast on Sportsnet Ontario was last year’s February 2 audience of 911,000 against the New Jersey Devils.

In anticipation of the rival match-up, last night’s pre-game Hockeycentral was watched by 312,000 viewers. Following the 5-4 win for the Leafs, 435,000 tuned in to Sportsnet Connected.

The Leafs next game on Sportsnet Ontario is Sunday, February 27 at 4:30 p.m. (ET) when they are on the road versus the Atlanta Thrashers.

For all the scores, highlights, breaking news and inside stories from the Toronto Maple Leafs and the entire NHL tune in to Hockeycentral Tonight, Sportsnet Connected and log on to sportsnet.ca.

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