Senators fan throws jersey on the ice after loss

Mackenzie Liddell
Things have completely unravelled in Ottawa. (Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Things have completely unravelled in Ottawa. (Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

There’s no better way to show displeasure with your team than by throwing a jersey on the ice.

Besides not showing up for games, which Senators fans have already tried to no avail.

Following Ottawa’s 5-0 loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday, an emotionally wounded fan sent a message to the team by tossing their $300 sweater on the ice.

As silly a form of protest as this may be, Senators fans have legitimate reasons to be upset only months after coming within one goal of reaching the Stanley Cup Final. The team has struggled on the ice, slipping all the way to 29th in the overall standings. Off the ice, bumbling owner Eugene Melnyk threatened to move the team — spawning the #MelnykOut hashtag — got called out by Kyle Turris and his wife and isn’t inspiring much confidence that the team will be able to retain franchise cornerstone Erik Karlsson when his contract expires after next season.

It’s been a while since a good ol’ jersey toss. Maple Leafs fans went through a phase during the 2014-15 season, at one point tossing three jerseys on the ice during the same game. Ditto for Oilers fans, who also got in on the fun during that time. And would you believe it’s been seven years since waffles rained down from the seats at the Air Canada Centre? Feels like yesterday.

The good news? The Senators are now comfortably in prime lottery real estate with another generational Swedish defenceman up for grabs. The Leafs and Oilers both won the lottery shortly after fans sacrificed their jerseys to the hockey gods, so maybe this is some sort of sign.