John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
During Monday’s game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Carolina Hurricanes, no fewer than three Maple Leafs jerseys were thrown onto the ice. This is not an unfamiliar sight. Fans who are frustrated with the team’s seasonal collapses have expressed their unhappiness by throwing jerseys to the ice before.
In a post-game interview, Nazem Kadri questioned the security at the ACC. In past interviews, the players have acknowledged the frustration coming from fans, but also expressed their dismay that jerseys are being tossed onto the ice. Now, it’s been announced that charges are to be laid in Monday incidents.
This is the right move for several reasons. This kind of jersey-throwing has occurred not only this season, but last season as well. In fact, Maple Leafs “fans” have thrown other items to the ice as well. In 2010, the “trend” was to throw frozen waffles to the ice in protest of bad games and subsequent losses. The originator of the trend stated he chose waffles to get the Leafs players to “wake up and eat some breakfast.”
The trend wasn’t confined to Toronto, however; waffles were thrown in other arenas when the Leafs began to lose on the road. The jerseys have now taken over, and if this behavior were not contained by laying charges, what fans are seeing now would simply continue. Also, throwing things on the ice is disruptive. The play had to be stopped each time, and not only does it interrupt the flow of the game, it interferes with the focus of the players — specifically Leafs players who are already battling their own challenges.
Most importantly, throwing items on the ice is dangerous. In 1960, as a prospect for the New York Rangers, Rod Gilbert tripped over the cardboard cover of an ice cream container that had been carelessly thrown on the ice. He wound up breaking his back, having multiple surgeries during which he almost died, and miraculously overcame his injuries to move on to the NHL.
While his story turned out to be a success, the potential for injury for both players and referees is enormous. These jerseys have been thrown onto the ice in the middle of play, leaving no warning for players and only the potential for catastrophe.
It’s about time the law cracked down on those who are engaging in vandalism and endangerment of professional hockey players. I can understand frustration, but that does not give fans the right to act in a classless and criminal fashion.
Lissa Albert is a Montreal Canadiens writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter @LissaRantSports. “Like” her on Facebook and/or add her to your network on Google.
