Irate Leafs fans litter ice after controversial no-goal call in Game 5 vs. Panthers

The Toronto Maple Leafs found themselves on the wrong side of a controversial call in Game 5 against the Florida Panthers on Friday.

With Toronto’s season on the line, trailing 3-1 in the second-round series, Florida secured a 2-0 lead with goals from Aaron Ekblad and Carter Verhaeghe in the first period. But Morgan Rielly answered the bell less than eight minutes into the second, trimming his club’s deficit to 2-1.

Rielly appeared to have found the back of the net again after a drive to the net on Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky during the final minutes of the middle frame, only to have it called back by the NHL’s video replay room.

The Maple Leafs defenceman lost possession for a brief moment while driving to the crease, and as Bobrovsky whiffed on a poke-checking attempt, Rielly regained the puck and tried to force it across the red line.

But as the puck travelled under Bobrovsky’s pad, referees lost sight and blew the play dead before they thought it completely crossed the goal line. Mass confusion ensued.

The NHL released the official ruling during the second intermission, stating the referee "deemed the play dead prior to the puck crossing the Florida line."

Fans in attendance took out their frustration by throwing debris on the ice and starting a profane chant.

Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas also vehemently disagreed with the decision, getting very heated during the replay review.

The referees' ruling proved extremely costly for the Leafs, who ended up falling 3-2 in overtime. With the loss, Toronto's 2022-23 campaign officially came to an end.

Florida advanced to the Eastern Conference final, where the Carolina Hurricanes await.