Is it too quiet at the Toronto Maple Leafs’ home rink? David Alter has his say.
The Toronto Maple Leafs hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets in low-energy mid-week game at Scotiabank Arena last week. But the Maple Leafs’ captain made headlines with his candid comments about the crowd atmosphere at Scotiabank Arena. He expressed his surprise and disappointment at the lack of noise and energy in the arena following an electrifying fight between Maple Leafs enforcer Ryan Reaves and Columbus’ Mathieu Olivier.
“It was a little quiet tonight, especially after two guys like that go at it,” No. 34 remarked, highlighting a long-standing concern regarding the energy levels among fans at the Leafs’ home games.
This issue has been a recurring topic of discussion among fans, players, and analysts alike. His remarks reignited a debate about why Scotiabank Arena, despite housing one of the NHL’s most storied franchises, struggles to create the kind of electric home-ice advantage seen in other arenas.
One of the major criticisms leveled against Scotiabank Arena is its perceived lack of energy, particularly in the lower bowl. Many have pointed out that the seats closest to the ice are often filled with corporate attendees rather than die-hard fans.
One particular video saw Leafs superfan Kurits in Alberta, struggling to try and get fans in the lower bowl to follow him in a chant of ‘Go Leafs Go’.
Jason Demers, an NHL Network analyst and former player, echoed these sentiments, saying, “It’s corporate, it’s not loud.” The corporate culture prevalent in the lower bowl has been blamed for stifling the natural enthusiasm that typically fuels a team’s home-ice advantage. For Matthews and his teammates, the subdued atmosphere can be especially jarring during moments that would traditionally send a crowd into a frenzy—such as a fight, a crucial goal, or a momentum-shifting penalty kill.
One major barrier to creating a lively atmosphere at Scotiabank Arena is the cost of attendance. Leafs tickets are among the most expensive in the NHL, often pricing out younger, more vocal fans who could bring energy and enthusiasm to the arena. Instead, the high cost attracts an older, wealthier demographic that might be more reserved in expressing their excitement.
On the road, however, it’s a different story. Leafs fans coming into the visiting building make their voices heard. During Toronto’s only visit to Ottawa last week, the Canadian Tire Centre was filled what seemed like 90 percent fan support in favour of the blue and white. There are passionate Leafs fans. They just don’t see to be at the game.
In light of Matthews’ comments, many fans and analysts have suggested potential solutions to address the issue. One idea is to make tickets more affordable and accessible, particularly for upper-bowl seating, which is traditionally home to the team’s loudest and most energetic fans. Introducing more promotions and family-friendly packages could help fill the arena with a younger, more diverse crowd. That’s easier said than done with a season-ticket base that is already spoken for.
Another idea is to encourage fan participation through initiatives like chants, songs, or themed nights that energize the audience. Teams like the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken have excelled in creating immersive, fan-driven atmospheres that make their arenas tough places for opponents to play. But those are newer market teams where tradition has not been established
The simplest solution might be right under their nose, and that is to play better. While No. 34 may have wanted a lift from the crowd following the fight, the game was a dud right after. One week earlier, Leafs fans booed the team off the ice after a pair of losses and that probably stung. It’s the middle of the regular season, and it’s going be a long slog of trying to play a better brand of playoff hockey. There’s an impatient fanbase and many are just waiting. Waiting for the playoffs at this point.