Well, you don’t see this every day.
In a jaw-dropping postgame press conference that had reporters scrambling for their recorders, Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube didn’t mince words after his team’s crushing Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers.
Berube, visibly frustrated, pointed fingers not at his players, not at the refs—but at the fans and even celebrities in the crowd at Amerant Bank Arena. According to the coach, the relentless booing and “orchestrated distractions” coming from Panthers fans—and certain high-profile attendees from the entertainment world—had a direct impact on his players’ ability to focus and perform.
> “It was beyond your typical home-ice advantage,” Berube said. “It was coordinated, excessive, and crossed the line. My guys couldn’t hear themselves think out there.”
The Accusation: Star-Studded Sabotage?
Sources say that among those Berube is indirectly referencing are music superstar Drake, actor Kevin Hart, and Miami-based influencers who were seen courtside (or rather, rinkside) riling up the crowd. Some were allegedly shown on the jumbotron during pivotal Leafs power plays, with the crowd erupting in response.
Berube went on to say he intends to file a formal petition with the NHL to have the game replayed in a neutral arena, citing what he calls “unfair external influence on competitive integrity.”
NHL Hasn’t Responded—But Paul Maurice Did
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice didn’t wait for the league’s response.
> “That’s one of the wildest things I’ve ever heard,” Maurice said with a smirk. “Our fans were electric—because it’s the playoffs. If he wants to blame Kevin Hart for a blown 3rd-period lead, be my guest.”
Social Media Erupts
As expected, hockey Twitter—and Instagram, and TikTok—erupted with memes and disbelief. One popular meme showed Berube photoshopped holding noise-canceling headphones behind the Leafs bench. Another simply read: “Leafs fans when Drake starts booing: Game Over.”
What Happens Next?
The NHL has not yet commented on the likelihood of the game being replayed. Realistically, there’s little to no precedent for such a decision. But Berube’s comments have already ignited a fiery debate about crowd behavior and celebrity influence at games.
Whether you think Berube has a point or he’s just deflecting blame from a blown opportunity, one thing’s for sure: this Leafs loss just went from painful to bizarre—and the offseason drama is only just beginning.
Stay tuned—we’ll be tracking every twist and turn.