Overview
- The Maple Leafs recognized three Olympians during a 5-2 loss to the Senators, with William Nylander and Oliver Ekman-Larsson drawing loud applause.
- Matthews received a combination of boos and cheers, including jeers when the announcer introduced him as a gold medalist.
- A TikTok video captured audible boos when his name was called during the on-ice recognition.
- Reaction has been tied to his White House appearance and a viral clip of President Trump congratulating the men’s team and inviting them to the State of the Union, which the U.S. women’s team declined.
- An online petition has urged the Maple Leafs to remove Matthews as captain, while earlier in the week he was briefly applauded during a ceremony in Tampa.