The lines were long, and it was a sea of blue and white at Nathan Phillips Square on Monday.

Fans were gathering in hopes of snagging one of a thousand free tickets being handed out for the Toronto Maple Leafs home opener against the Buffalo Sabres.

As an added bonus, those who wanted to go skating at the rink outside of city hall, but didn't have skates, had the rental charge paid for by the team.

The Leafs are trying to say 'sorry' to fans, in the wake of a lockout that cost the NHL most of the season.

Toronto kicked off the shortened season with a win in Montreal on Saturday.