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Panthers Fans Troll Anthony Stolarz And The Leafs Following Viral Playoffs Chant

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Austin Kelly
November 28, 2024  (11:19)
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Florida Panthers fans trolled the return of netminder Anthony Stolarz using a tongue-in-cheek reference to Toronto's past.

Panthers fans had some cheeky words toward Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz during Wednesday night's game against the Florida Panthers.

As the Toronto Maple Leafs went down 3-0 to the Panthers Wednesday night with Stolarz in net for the Leafs, fans took a bit of a jab at the team using a comment from their past.

Stolarz spent last year with the Florida Panthers as a backup to Sergei Bobrovsky and won the Stanley Cup after defeating Edmonton in seven games.

He posted a 16-7-2 record last season with the Panthers, along with a 2.03 GAA and .925 SV%.

Toronto's Past Comes Back To Bite Them

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When the Toronto Maple Leafs played in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, after defeating the Boston Bruins in their first round series fans took to the streets chanting "we want Florida"; a symbol of fans' confidence for a deep playoff run after finally overcoming 19 years without a second round appearance.

Quickly the chant was filled with regret as Toronto fans did get their desired matchup against the Panthers, and one that ended quickly with a 4-1 series win for Florida.

Florida would then make it to the Stanley Cup Finals before losing to Vegas in the Finals.

It was another heartbreak for Leafs fans, but one that came with the frustration of overconfidence that bit them in the end.

Panthers fans mocked the chant from 2023 as Stolarz was struggling on the night, chanting "We Want Woll" as a way of mocking their former goalie, saying that Joseph Woll would make it a tougher matchup between the two.

Although the Florida fans would want Woll, they may want to think twice. Woll is currently riding a four-game win streak, and sits 5-2-0 this season with a 2.00 GAA and .923 SV%.

While surely there's no animosity between fans and their former netminder, Florida faithful were ready to get chirps in towards those Leafs chants that served as a lesson.

Hockey is known for its creative wordplay and use of past players, coaches, etc. as banter for fans to try and get under the skin of opponents.

Despite the trolling from the crowd toward Stolarz and the Leafs, it has still been a productive year for the goalie.

He has a 7-3-2 record in 13 games with a 2.33 GAA and a .921 SV% as he finally gets a look at a starter role he's waited for in the past until his arrival in Toronto.

FAQ: Florida Panthers Fans Troll Maple Leafs

Q1: How did the Florida fans end up trolling the Maple Leafs?

A1: The Panthers faithful chanted 'We Want Woll' as a means to mock Toronto fans for their desire to face Florida in the 2023 Playoffs, which led to Toronto losing 4-1 to Florida in that desired series.

Q2: Why was Florida so resentful towards Stolarz?

A2: I don't think there's any genuine resentment or hatred toward Stolarz, and the Panthers fans were using banter in order to get under the skin of Leafs players, and is something fans have done for years.

In closing, the Florida Panthers got both the win against the Maple Leafs and they had the satisfaction that they were able to throw some shade at the Maple Leafs after their overconfidence and letting them know they're still as dangerous as ever.

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Will Anthony Stolarz remain the Toronto Maple Leafs starter?

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