I live about a 6 hour drive from Montreal.
I went to 3 games this past season and cheapest tickets I bought were $150 each. I paid over $200 for tickets each for one of the games. Saw the Leafs, Capitals and Jets. (Caps and Jets were back to back sat/sun games)
I'm also a Patriots fan (closest team to me distance, grew up a fan, been to 1 game only). As much as I love Football, Hockey is my sport.
1) Hockey
2) Baseball
3) MMA
4) Football
5) Boxing
In that order for me.
I'm a Jays fan that's never been to a game in Toronto. I've been to Fenway probably a dozen times (about 8-9 hour drive, closest team) though everytime was against the Jays.