Beloved and legendary Maple Leafs broadcaster Joe Bowen caused shockwaves two nights ago when he called out fans for their lack of enthusiasm.
Now, head coach Sheldon Keefe has commented, and he staunchly disagrees.
This was Joe Bowen's statement, which he posted on X:
«Give the team energy when they need it Not sitting down waiting To be REACTIVE. The players can't say but I will tonight's crowd was VERY DISAPPOINTING.»
Now, Sheldon Keefe has commented:
«I found it quite loud in there.
There was a number of times that it was hard calling out lines. You have to scream the lines and you have to move up and down the bench to make sure players are hearing and communicating properly.
That was the same in Boston and we experienced that (in Toronto) as well.
From my perspective, I didn't see that as an issue at all.
In fact, there was some moments of the game where (the crowd) got extremely loud. Clearly, that's important.
It's hard when there is not much between the teams and the players are giving everything that they have. That extra boost is really important, but that wasn't on my mind at all. If anything, as a coach, your voice in your head is kind of pounding a little bit because you're screaming for two and a half hours to try to communicate over top of the noise.»
There was a number of times that it was hard calling out lines. You have to scream the lines and you have to move up and down the bench to make sure players are hearing and communicating properly.
That was the same in Boston and we experienced that (in Toronto) as well.
From my perspective, I didn't see that as an issue at all.
In fact, there was some moments of the game where (the crowd) got extremely loud. Clearly, that's important.
It's hard when there is not much between the teams and the players are giving everything that they have. That extra boost is really important, but that wasn't on my mind at all. If anything, as a coach, your voice in your head is kind of pounding a little bit because you're screaming for two and a half hours to try to communicate over top of the noise.»
Clearly Sheldon Keefe won't let anybody, even Joe Bowen try to poke fun at Maple Leafs fans. What would really make them loud, however, would be lead in the series.
| POLL | ||
26 AVRIL | 560 ANSWERS Sheldon Keefe responds to Joe Bowen's rant on Maple Leafs fans Do you think Sheldon Keefe is right about Maple Leafs fans? | ||
| Yes | 173 | 30.9 % |
| No | 387 | 69.1 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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