"Marner, the sixth-leading scorer in Maple Leafs history, left under acrimonious circumstances and the league's largest fan base certainly wanted a measure of catharsis. The 28-year-old reluctantly held court at the The Ritz-Carlton prior to Friday's game, meeting with a group of 20-plus reporters, carrying an air of light defiance. And when the game started, Marner was booed viciously, although he received a groundswell of vocal support during the Leafs' tribute to him during the first period."
"In truth, Marner didn't have to be anywhere near his best to spoil the Leafs' party, or funeral procession, depending on your vantage point. Once the game began, Marner was booed every time he touched the puck, but when it came to the on-ice proceedings, he was a relative afterthought. We've all seen what Marner looks like at his scintillating best, at least through nine regular seasons, and the dynamic winger was perhaps the third-best forward on his line, as Pavel Dorofeyev drove the play."
Mitch Marner returned to Toronto as a member of the Vegas Golden Knights and faced intense fan reaction, including vicious boos each time he touched the puck. He met with reporters at The Ritz-Carlton carrying an air of light defiance before the game and received vocal support during a Leafs tribute in the first period. Marner registered just one shot and was held without a point while Pavel Dorofeyev drove play on their line. The Golden Knights raced to a 2-0 lead and skated off with a comfortable 6-3 victory. The crowd quieted as the game progressed, underscoring the disparity between emotional buildup and on-ice impact.
Read at TheLeafsNation
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