WARMINGTON: 'Incredible' crowd at The Vault deeply invested in Leafs playoff run

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It was one of those starts where even though you needed earplugs, no one wanted them because everybody wanted to savour every second of it.

The Vault has never been louder.

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It started with the first goal of this NHL Eastern Conference semifinal series between Toronto and the Florida Panthers as William Nylander lit the match just 33 seconds in for what was an already rocking Leafs Nation crowd. It ended with a 5-4 Maple Leafs win as they took a 1-0 series lead.

And then it got even louder.

“The crowd has just been incredible,” said Joe Bowen, the voice of the Maple Leafs. “It’s as loud as anything I have heard in 43 years.”

So loud that when I was walking by their booth, I couldn’t hear Bonsey and Jim Ralph, who are always broadcasting at the top of their lungs.

“This crowd has been absolutely fantastic,” Ralph said.

Bowen said the secret to being able to do play-by-play for so many years and over loud crowds like the one at Scotiabank Arena is using your lungs the same way rock singers do.

“After my first year, I ended up in St. Mikes where a doctor told me, ‘If you want to do this for the long haul, you have to breathe properly. You can’t just use your voice,'” he said. He learned the technique and now he has broadcast Maple Leafs games longer than Foster Hewitt did.

What a night this was. Pure excitement.

And to think this is just the start of what could prove to be an epic series against the defending Stanley Cup champions. One of the great things about the crowd at playoff games is you end up with big-time fans who have never been to a game before.

The Nolin family — Richard and Catherine and their children Mason, 10, and Mia, 7 — were an example. They drove all the way to this game from Sudbury.

“Our friend had four tickets for the game, but on Saturday said he couldn’t go,” said Richard. “So we said we would take them.”

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It was the first time attending a Maple Leafs game for all of them.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Catherine.

What a game to be at. They were cheering with the best of them.

“We will never forget it,” said Richard, adding the kids will have a good excuse to miss school on Tuesday.

The crowd was the seventh player in this game and right from the beginning. When Natalie Morris beautifully sang The Star-Spangled Banner and O Canada, the Scotiabank Arena crowd was already fired up.

The only time it got quiet was when goalie Anthony Stolarz left the game midway through the second period and was replaced by Joseph Woll. Other than that, it was pandemonium.

“There’s nothing like playoff hockey,” said Eli Shupak. “I am still hoping my 50th birthday wish comes true.”

He’s not alone on that wish: There is a feeling amongst fans that the Maple Leafs have the horses to finally win this most coveted championship.

He may not have waited as long as Shupak, but Seth Tolensky, 16, is hoping he will get to experience a parade this year. With his sisters Ella and Audrey and parents Melanie and Lewis, they were doing their part and cheering at the top of their lungs.

One game at a time. You have to win 16 games. The Leafs are off to a pretty good start.

If it seemed loud at this game, can you imagine what it will be like if they get there.