The Toronto Maple Leafs’ lower bowl at Scotiabank Arena has long been criticized for lacking energy and noise, and NHL Network Analyst Jason Demers I didn’t catch his thoughts during Friday’s NHL Network with Kevin Weekes and Kathryn Tappen.
“It’s not the first time this has been said — I can’t stand Toronto’s lower bowl,” said Demers, who played parts of 13 seasons in the NHL with five different teams. “It’s the business, it’s not strong. There’s no heartbeat there, and this team has been good for years. »
The comments stem from the Leafs’ game with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night where captain Auston Matthews was quoted after the 5-1 loss, “would have liked a little more energy from the crowd after that. I thought it was some time tonight, especially after two guys like that go at it.
What Matthews was referring to was the application of Leafs Ryan Reaves dropping the gloves for the first time this season against Blue Jackets forward Mathieu Olivier in a heavyweight tilt, one of the best that the NHL has seen this season. He felt the fight should have brought the crowd to their feet, but instead it felt flat.
Even head coach and former NHL enforcer Craig Berube praised the trade, calling it a “hell of a fight.”
Demers then pointed out another example, recalling an instance last season where former Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov delivered a shutout performance only to be hooked by a minimum fan following, stating that “no one gave crap”.
“Yeah, they didn’t play in the playoffs, but maybe do something. Shout a little. It happened last year with Ilya Samsonov,” Demers explained. “He had a huge game, had just come back (from the Marlies), got a shutout and he wasn’t getting any cheers. Nobody gave a shit.
High ticket prices for low-cost seats – often purchased by corporate customers – have created what many perceive as a stifling environment.
For years now, there has been a call to action to help find a solution that will bridge the gap between the passion and unity found in the upper bowl and the quiet corporate culture of the lower bowl to create an atmosphere built around one of the most loyal Fepoles in professional sports – although no feasible outcome.
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