Auston Matthews Criticizes Maple Leafs Fans' Quiet Energy

After a disappointing 5-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews expressed frustration with the lack of energy from the Scotiabank Arena crowd during a first-period fight involving teammate Ryan Reaves. While praising the fight as a significant moment for the team, Matthews noted that he expected more excitement from fans, highlighting a long-standing issue of a 'too corporate' atmosphere in the arena. Several teammates, including Steven Lorentz and Joseph Woll, supported Matthews' view, emphasizing the importance of crowd energy in boosting team morale. The defeat marked a tough night for the Leafs, with Matthews scoring the lone goal amidst a lackluster performance. The team will have to wait to see if fans will bring more enthusiasm in their upcoming home game against the Minnesota Wild. Overall, the game underscored ongoing concerns about ticket pricing and the composition of the audience at Leafs games.