Maple Leafs fans irate as CN Tower lights up in Canadiens' colours
There’s sportsmanship, and then there’s honouring your 100-year rival as they go farther in the postseason than your city’s team has in decades.
With Montreal in a state of celebration after the Canadiens' second-round sweep of the Winnipeg Jets, the city of Toronto decided to join in on the fun and light up its most notable landmark in the iconic bleu, blanc et rouge.
Tonight the #CNTower will be lit red, blue, and white for the @CanadiensMTL who will go on to represent Canada's hope for a 2021 @NHL Stanley Cup! pic.twitter.com/cEqsXqBefZ
— CN Tower/La Tour CN (@TourCNTower) June 8, 2021
The move was questionable at best considering the Maple Leafs' first-round defeat at the hands of those Canadiens is still fresh in Toronto fans' minds. Social media reaction was overwhelmingly negative, with many quick to poke fun at the CN Tower's decision.
This is insane. This is like New York lighting the Empire State Building in Boston Red Sox colors. #GoHabsGo https://t.co/kKHLiD5q47
— 𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐟𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬 (@EliasToufexis) June 8, 2021
When the Leafs screw up it’s never a single, it’s an album. https://t.co/8SOgG9jqie
— Steve “Dangle” Glynn (@Steve_Dangle) June 8, 2021
The entire city of Toronto seems to have lost a bet. https://t.co/IA7bOX8YMU
— Richard Zussman (@richardzussman) June 8, 2021
The responses to this tweet have me breathless. Actual tears. https://t.co/j7zr67Rvwi
— Joe Dolan (@FG_Dolan) June 8, 2021
Trolling your own city? 😂😂😂😂😂💯 https://t.co/1r5VmoJBNO
— Farhan Mohamed (@farhanmohamed) June 8, 2021
Everyone on my timeline is mad at a building.
This rules.— Soko (@James_Sokoloski) June 8, 2021
Not only is naming a squad “Canada’s team” ridiculous since it was guaranteed that one Canadian franchise would be among this year's final four, but to do it for your archrival is extremely odd.
Given the context that the Canadiens are currently in the stage of the playoffs that the Maple Leafs have not reached since 2002, the only possible reason this was given the green light is that a Habs fan is in charge of the CN Tower’s lights.
The only thing more embarrassing than your team getting beat by an underdog that barely qualified for the postseason is to have your city turn around and visibly support that team.
More from Yahoo Sports