In what could be emerging as a new trend, a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, apparently so frustrated by the team’s poor performance, tossed a team jersey onto the ice at the Air Canada Centre.
It happened in the third period, after the Detroit Red Wings’ Johan Franzen scored two and Gustav Nyquist knocked one in, foreshadowing the eventual 4-1 Leafs' loss.
The toss came less than a week after another jersey was ignominiously dumped on the ice, in a losing game against the Pittsburgh Penguins last Saturday.
The jersey was emblazoned with the number three, which belongs to team captain Dion Phaneuf.
Phaneuf later said that fans have a right to be upset, but pitching the blue and white flag of Leafs Nation wasn’t right. He suggested the majority of fans are still willing to support their team, despite losing three of four home games so far.
The conversation on Twitter suggests he’s right. Here's a sampling:
To the so called @MapleLeafs fans who threw their jersey's... NOT COOL !! #Respect your team !! #GoLeafsGo #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/H72PhANTWx
— Toronto SportsGirl ღ (@TO_sportsgirl) October 18, 2014
The NHL Season is over a week old and 2 Toronto Maple Leafs sweaters have been thrown onto the ice. What's next? A Blue Jays Jersey?
— Andrew Sheehy (@andrewsheehy228) October 18, 2014
Leafs go 2-3 with a young roster and a fan tosses a jersey on the ice. Being a fan of them is made harder by the stupidity of some fans.
— Malcolm Radke (@MalcolmXRadke) October 18, 2014
I'm loving this jersey throwing trend! It helps weed out the fake fans. Actual fans know how cherishable a jersey is #TMLtalk #Leafs
— Patrick C (@PatrickConlin16) October 18, 2014
Throwing a jersey onto the ice when your team is struggling, how original. #leafs #notcreative #attentionseeking
— Mark Gregory (@markgreg27) October 18, 2014
Been a Leaf fan for 56 years. I have always defended them, but think Jersey tossing is totally wrong. Come on Leafs, lets produce on ice
— Morris March (@CCbull8) October 18, 2014
The Leafs fan who threw the jersey was disrespectful last night. The Leafs and MLSE have been disrespectful for 47 years.-
— Toronto Batman (@torontobatman) October 18, 2014
To the fan that threw their Leafs Jersey on the ice last night, I was obviously there for the #RedWings, but it disappointed me to see that.
— Crystal Brittany (@CrystalxClarity) October 18, 2014
K but actually you called so leafs fan are throwing your jersey's on the ice, hows that gonna help, its not going to make leafs play better
— Melissa Molina ⚓ (@Melissaaaaxo19) October 18, 2014
The Leafs and Red Wings will face off again tonight at 7 p.m. in Detroit.
