I used to love watching Leafs games in Florida. But after a dark turn at the Panthers' arena, I don't think I can go back
'Hey, welcome back. Are you the 51st state, yet?' My feet hadn't even touched the ground of my driveway. That was the greeting I received from a neighbour on Day 1 of my annual trip to Florida.
Game four of the second round and I was determined to fly the Leafs colours and drive the two-hour, mind-numbing, high-speed straightway to Sunrise, Fla., on a highway appropriately named Alligator Alley.
I arrived at Amerant Bank Arena to find a sea of Florida Panther red jerseys and the atmosphere on the walk from my car to the arena was great; there was no trash talk because I assumed they're used to seeing Leaf fans at their home games. This game was no different. Or was it?
I was wearing my Leafs jersey (of course) as I settled in to my seat behind the Florida net for the first period, just eight rows from the ice — but I wasn't in Kansas anymore, or Scotiabank Arena for that matter.
Stephen Grant's view of Joseph Woll in net for the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Toronto-Florida playoff game earlier this week in Sunrise, Fla.
Stephen Grant photo
Back home I would have been surrounded by Bay Street suits entertaining clients, but here my section was full of 'real' hockey fans, most in their 30s, swigging beer, dancing to the pre-game tunes blasted on the speakers and generally preparing for three hours of 'rock 'em, sock 'em' hockey. How great is this?
The mood change was swift.
It started during our national anthem when halfway through the second verse some leather lung 'fan' shouted out '51st state.' At least they didn't boo our anthem, I guess.
Nobody enjoys a good heckle more than me. As I lifelong Toronto sports fan I've been taunted by Hamilton Ticat fans at their home games. I've been jeered at Fenway by Red Sox fans and got an earful full from Yankee fans in New York. I understand it and expect it. You pay your money, you should be able to express yourself.
I almost bit through my lip in the first period as the woman behind me entertained the children in the section by shrieking vulgarities in between screams of 'north 51!'
Again, I understand fans are passionate, but as the beer continued to flow through the second and third period it was getting ugly. I texted my wife and told her what was going on and I recognized the fact that I had to remain calm, or I was going to get into a fight and I'm a Leaf lover not a fighter.
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It was almost predictable when the Leafs lost, but I wasn't prepared for the reaction from the 'fans.' A 'gentleman' two rows in front of me was recording the cheering with his cellphone when he locked eyes with me. I stared right back at him only to have him take his thumb in draw it across his neck to simulate (I can only guess) slitting someone's throat.
Stephen Grant in Florida, where he frequently vacations. 'As I left the arena for the long walk to my car, the chants of 'F*ck Canada' and 'Go home, Canada' reverberated from the open car windows of 'fans.' I was disappointed my team lost, but I was confused and hurt by the notion that I don't think I can come back to this arena again,' Grant writes.
Stephen Grant photo
Of course there was the standard U-S-A, U-S-A chants, which I never understand, but the 'go home Canada' and 'F*ck Canada' chants were particularly disappointing. I wanted to ask one of these so-called hockey fans what their issue was with our country? They live in Florida, surely they have come in contact with Canadians at some point in their lives. What did we do to have them suddenly despise us so much?
As I left the arena for the long walk to my car, the chants of 'F*ck Canada' and 'Go home, Canada' reverberated from the open car windows of 'fans.' I was disappointed my team lost, but I was confused and hurt by the notion that I don't think I can come back to this arena again.
I've got another couple of weeks down here and I'll be joined by one of my golf buddies next week but I'm afraid this might be my last trip down south for a while.
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