Yahoo Sports ‘We Just Wanted To Feel That Energy From The Crowd’: Mitch Marner Sounds Off On Maple Leafs’ Lower Bowl Atmosphere At Scotiabank Arena
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner is the latest to chime in on the atmosphere inside Scotiabank Arena.
The topic surfaced after the Leafs’ 5-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on January 22, a game that captain Auston Matthews felt lacked energy from the crowd despite a heavy tilt between enforcer Ryan Reaves and Blue Jackets forward Mathieu Olivier.
“Would've liked a little more energy from the crowd after that,” Matthews said post-game. “I thought it was a little quiet tonight, especially after two guys like that go at it. It was a great moment for (Reaves). I thought it gave us some energy on the bench.”
With the Leafs set to host the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday after a Saturday matchup in Ottawa, Marner reflected on his perspective and the atmosphere in the arena.
“Reavo's a great player. He does a lot on the ice to make impacts on the game. Fighting is one of those things and that was his first one of the year or maybe second. And it was a hell of a tilt,” said Marner.
“I think everyone agreed to be one of the best that's happened in a while. I know we were all really fired up, but I think we just wanted to feel that energy from the crowd. And I think we felt it a little bit, but we just want to keep it going throughout the periods and maybe it just dropped off a little bit,” he added.
The criticism regarding the noise levels inside Scotiabank Arena has been a recurring theme for some time, with the high ticket prices for lower-bowl seats – often purchased by corporate clients – creating what many perceive as a hushed environment.
Reaves vs Olivier pic.twitter.com/BsbeSVlKbu
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) January 23, 2025
Even NHL Network analyst Jason Demers didn’t hold back during Friday’s NHL Network Now segment with Kevin Weekes and Kathryn Tappen.
“It’s not the first time it’s been said – I can’t stand the lower bowl of Toronto,” said Demers, who played parts of 13 seasons in the NHL with five different teams. “It’s corporate, it’s not loud. There is no heartbeat there, and this team has been good for years.”
These seats, while oftentimes occupied, haved rarely matched the energy of the more passionate fans sitting in the upper levels.
Marner was asked for a follow-up on whether he believed there was an initiative worthwhile for the organization to look at to help find a solution to the problem.
“I don't know. It's up to them, I guess,” said Marner. “We just go out there and want to win hockey games and try to entertain our fans and get a great reaction from them. So that's all we're trying to do every game.”
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