The Toronto Maple Leafs were outplayed on home ice in Game Five of their second-round series against the Florida Panthers, losing 6-1 in a lopsided affair. The Panthers played with relentless aggression, while the Leafs struggled to keep up. As the game slipped further out of reach, fans were seen leaving Scotiabank Arena well before the final whistle. Following the loss, Leafs captain Auston Matthews shared his thoughts on the fans’ early departure.
It was a tough night for all Toronto Maple Leafs fans. The team had a golden opportunity to take control of the series on home ice, but instead, they conceded five unanswered goals and suffered a crushing 6-1 defeat. With the series now heading back to Florida for Game Six, the loss couldn’t have come at a worse time.
Fans reaction
The ever-passionate Leafs fanbase was understandably upset with the team’s performance. As it became clear the game was out of reach, some fans began taking off their Maple Leafs jerseys and tossing them onto the ice, while boos echoed throughout the arena. Many fans were seen leaving Scotiabank Arena before the game concluded, a visual sign of frustration and disappointment.
Auston Matthews responds
After the game, a visibly disappointed Auston Matthews addressed reporters. He answered questions not only about the team’s performance but also about how he felt seeing fans leave early and react so strongly.
“I don’t think we gave them much reason to stick around,” Matthews said before walking away.
Game Six is set for Friday in Florida. You can watch the clip of Matthews’ post-game comments below.
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