The New Jersey Devils' 13-game win streak came to a controversial end Wednesday night in a 2-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
After officials disallowed not one, not two, but three New Jersey Devils' goals on Wednesday night, fans showed their displeasure by pelting the ice at the Prudential Center with trash, briefly halting the game in the third period.
Devils fans throw garbage on the ice after three disallowed goals tonight. Ugly scene. pic.twitter.com/lUSzrZa9Vc
— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) November 24, 2022
With 11:07 to go in the third, and the Maple Leafs leading 2-0, the Devils had their third goal of the game taken off the scoreboard, setting off a barrage of debris from the stands that forced the Maple Leafs to retreat to the locker room.
After a third goal was called off, Devils fans began throwing garbage on the ice. The Leafs headed to the locker room while the debris was cleaned up. pic.twitter.com/SrK6HV9dxS
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 24, 2022
Mike Ashmore of the Trentonian provided a birdseye view from the press box, showing the sheer amount of garbage landing on the ice.
Shame. Devils fans are better than this. pic.twitter.com/KRhHy2cf4y
— Mike Ashmore (@mashmore98) November 24, 2022
The Devils first disallowed goal game at 7:35 into the first period after a video review determined forward Nathan Bastian prevented Maple Leafs' goaltender Matt Murray from manning his crease.
This Devils goal against the Leafs was waved off for goaltender interference and confirmed after review.
— Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) November 24, 2022
Right call or should it have counted? pic.twitter.com/bUIrx1t4wD
At 4:52 of the second period, officials ruled Tomas Tatar interfered with Murray while attempting a save, wiping another goal off the scoreboard.
In the third period, the Devils appeared to score again off a scrum in front, but forward Erik Haula kicked the puck past Murray, and officials waved off the goal.
Devils have a goal CALLED BACK FOR THE THIRD TIME and fans start throwing debris on the ice. Still 2-0 Leafs.
— Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) November 24, 2022
How many of these did the refs get wrong? pic.twitter.com/GNu8OeqJt7
The Devils were riding a long winning streak, so tensions in the arena were understandably high. Though, no matter the circumstances, there's no excusing the behavior of Devils' fans, who are bound to face heavy criticism this week.
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