The Toronto Maple Leafs put an end to a three-game losing streak on Thursday night with a surprising win over one of the NHL’s top teams and somehow they still found a way to tick off Leafs Nation.
The team, which had been under fire in the wake of a number of lopsided losses, knocked off the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2 at the Air Canada Centre last night but instead of raising their sticks to fans at centre ice, as has been the tradition after every home ice win over the last number of seasons, players celebrated the victory amongst themselves and then skated off to their dressing room.
The so called “snub” followed a 9-2 home ice loss on Wednesday in which a fan threw his jersey onto the ice in protest.
“For us and our group it was something that we decided. I am not going to discuss what we talk about inside our room because I think that is something that stays in our room but I will say one thing: This by no means was an attack on our fans or anything personal,” Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf told reporters on Friday. “It was more about our team and changing up our routine.”
The Leafs refusal to salute their fans on Thursday night drew condemnation on social media where it was regarded as “disrespectful,” “ignorant” and a cheap attempt to punish fans for the anger they have directed at the team in recent days.
Phanuef, however, said it was just one of several routine tweaks the team made as it looked to improve its on-ice performance.
“To be completely honest with you it was something about the way we have been playing at home, our record and just changing up our routine,” he said. “We did a lot of things different throughout the day and that was something that we decided to change. “
The Maple Leafs return to action on Saturday night against the Detroit Red Wings.
It remains to be seen whether fans will even be lucky enough to get snubbed.
It doesn't bother me that the Leafs didn't salute the fans after the game. It does bother me that the players got together & planned it.
— Birky (@b1rky) November 21, 2014
In the ultimate troll move, the Leafs have decided they will only salute fans after a loss.
— Dave Shapiro (@BlueSeatBlogs) November 21, 2014
Can we just relocate the Leafs to Atlanta? No one will care there. Getting upset over a stick salute. Give me a break.
— Craig Bennett (@Cweg_Bennett) November 21, 2014
Leafs choice not to salute fans after last victory will come back to bite them! Watch/listen 4 more cheers when Opp'n scores. #phaneufkessel
— William Granger (@BillyHockey) November 21, 2014
Fans should be pissed about the Leafs' non-salute. Not everyone threw jerseys. Lots of fans still paying $$ to go to watch a rough team.
— Lia Poin (@LiaPoin) November 21, 2014
I do like the gesture of a salute. But can you really blame the players after how much disrespect some fans have shown towards the team?
— Leafs Lady (@Leafs_Fan_Chick) November 21, 2014
I bet it was Phil Kessel's idea not to salute the crowd. Leafs should probably trade him.
— Bonk's Mullet (@BonksMullet) November 21, 2014
Maybe an unpopular opinion, im okay that the Leafs didnt salute. Maybe a collective defiance will bring the players closer as a unit.
— Gabriel Helbig (@GabrielHelbig) November 21, 2014
I'll salute you, fellow Leafs fans. Simply for putting up with this tripe.
— Alex White (@AltheWhite) November 21, 2014
Team skipping out on stick salute to ACC fans exactly the kind of brilliant leadership we've come to expect from Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) November 21, 2014
Most Leafs fans don't care if they salute the crowd or not. Most fans have left by then usually. All they care about is winning games.
— Will (@WillySal89) November 21, 2014
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