Leafs Fans Under Fire for 'Ugly' Behavior in Game 7
The Toronto Maple Leafs had a chance to reach the NHL's Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in nearly a quarter-century, but instead collapsed in Sunday's Game 7 against the Florida Panthers.
The Leafs gave up three second-period goals to fall behind 3-0, cutting into the lead briefly in the third period after a goal by Max Domi before giving up another three to lose 6-1.
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Leafs fans in attendance at Scotiabank Arena on Toronto did not take the blowout loss well, showering the team with boos and some throwing objects onto the ice. The behavior led to some criticism from fans and reporters.
"A fan threw a beer at the Leafs on the bench. Marner had to sidestep a thrown jersey before skating to the bench on his final shift as he was getting booed," noted Sportsnet reporter Luke Fox in a post on X. "This. Is. Ugly."
Others called out the fans for leaving en masse as the game turned into a blowout in the third period.
"So many empty seats," one person commented on X. "I get it, your team is losing and it sucks, but other fanbases stick with their teams to the end. Even worse, these cry-baby fans are booing every time Leafs touch the puck."
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"Leafs fans are up there with worst fans in sports," wrote another. "Throwing jerseys on the ice and spreading so much negativity won't get this team anywhere. There's time to boo your team when they are performing but that group didn't deserve to get boo'd. Took a [expletive] good Florida team to 7"
The Leafs fans who stuck around to the end didn't give the team much mercy. Leafs players were met with loud boos when they gathered at center ice after the game to salute fans for their support.
Related: Mitch Marner's Bench Behavior During Panthers-Maple Leafs Game 7 Turns Heads
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