Toronto Maple Leafs fans ripped for leaving playoff game early
Toronto Maple Leafs fans weren’t exactly building up the best reputation on Tuesday night.
With Toronto being shut out 4-0 on home ice against the Ottawa Senators in Game 5 of their first-round series, the Leafs suddenly went from a possible sweep to a suddenly gut-wrenching endeavour.
Though Toronto looked like the better team throughout much of the series’ first three games, they’re now suddenly finding themselves in desperation mode despite holding a 3-2 series lead.
And while Leafs fans often share their pride about their loyalty, sacrifice, and any other platitude you’d like to throw in, some of the fans in attendance didn’t quite feel like sticking around to see the end of how Tuesday’s game turned out.
With a little under three minutes to go in the third period and the Leafs falling behind 3-0, the Sportsnet broadcast showed several hundred fans heading for the exits.
With the Leafs down 3-0 late in the third, fans begin to leave at Scotiabank Arena pic.twitter.com/i1mpnUFOa8
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 30, 2025
As expected, social media comments weren’t all too kind to those opting for the exits, making jokes about fire drills and beating the traffic.
While there isn’t a way to access the ESPN broadcast in Canada, it appears that the American feed also called out those heading to the exits early, per Steve Warne.
ESPN's announcers ripping Leafs fans for leaving early. "There's still three minutes left, these Leaf fans have quit."
— Steve Warne (@SteveWarneMedia) April 30, 2025
Sportsnet producer Armen Zargarian provided an aerial view of the emptying seats from the media gondola.
@armenzarg♬ original sound – zach
After two straight losses, Leafs defenceman Chris Tanev insists they’re fine, but there’s been a definite seed of doubt planted among the Toronto faithful.
For Toronto fans, they can only hope that the next time they see their team play on home ice, it’s with a new opponent.
Should Toronto win on Thursday night in Ottawa, they’ll next be on home ice for Game 1 of the second round against the winner of the Tampa Bay Lightning-Florida Panthers series.
But if they end up losing, they’ll be hosting the Senators in Game 7 on home ice this Saturday night, one that would be filled with enough pressure to make anyone’s blood boil over.