Panthers HC 'messes' with Toronto media following Game 4 loss

Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice. James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers HC Paul Maurice 'messes' with Toronto media following Game 4 loss

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 5/11/23

The Florida Panthers failed to complete the series sweep on Wednesday, falling to the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 4, 2-1.

Following the game, a playful Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice had a little fun with the notoriously formidable Toronto media.

While taking questions, a seemingly annoyed Maurice told the reporters gathered to keep firing questions before requesting that they do so while "hiding their glee."

After a few expletives that begin with "F," Maurice chuckled as he told everyone to relax, adding, "I'm just messin' with you."

Look, Paul Maurice is just messin with ya. pic.twitter.com/wqqcJZZTM3
— Bally Sports Florida: Panthers (@BallyPanthers) May 11, 2023

Kidding aside, Maurice used the same approach to the Panthers' Game 4 loss.

"We lost a game today. It's happened in the playoffs to everyone so far," Maurice said via Erin Brown of The Hockey News. "We get to play the next one, and we're all good with that. Relax, for f--- sakes."

Facing elimination, the Maple Leafs played like a desperate team on Wednesday and barely kept their season alive. After a tight, scoreless first period, William Nylander scored on the powerplay 3:29 into the second to give Toronto the all-important first goal.

WILLY STYLES!! pic.twitter.com/YMKJ2Ieufj
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) May 11, 2023

Midway through the third, Mitch Marner gave the Maple Leafs some breathing room, scoring at 10:03 to put Toronto up 2-0.

MITCH MARNER MAKES IT 2-0 LEAFS ‼️

Watch Game of the #StanleyCup Playoffs live on Sportsnet. pic.twitter.com/dBocwd1Nbb
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 11, 2023

Sam Reinhart scored on the man advantage to put the Panthers on the board at 12:13, but Florida could not find the equalizer throughout the remainder of the third.

Still up in the series 3-1 in the best-of-seven second-round series, there's no reason for the Panthers to panic yet.

The best-of-seven series shifts back to Toronto for Game 5 Friday at 7 p.m.

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