Fans in Maple Leaf Square celebrate a goal by the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Tampa Bay Lightning during first period NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey action in Toronto on Thursday, April 27, 2023. Maple Leafs fans planning to attend the team's road games in the upcoming second-round NHL playoff series against Florida may find themselves shut out of ticket options. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Maple Leafs fans planning to attend the team’s road games in the upcoming second-round NHL playoff series against Florida may find themselves shut out of ticket options.
The Panthers are restricting ticket sales for Games 3 and 4 to American residents.
It wasn’t clear why the restriction was in place but the Maple Leafs do have a fan base that travels well, particularly in the Snowbird-heavy Sunshine State. Tickets were set to go on sale later Monday.
Under an ‘Important Event Info’ listing on the Ticketmaster website linked to the Panthers’ site, a tab outlines sales requirements.
“FLA Live Arena is located in Sunrise, Florida. Sales to this event will be restricted to residents of the United States. Residency will be based on credit card billing address. Orders by residents outside of the United States will be cancelled without notice and refunds given,” it read.
Messages left with the Panthers and the NHL were not immediately returned. Dates for the Florida home games – which would include Game 6 if the best-of-seven series lasts that long – have not been announced.
Game 1 is scheduled for Tuesday night at Scotiabank Arena. Game 2 will be played Thursday in Toronto before the series shifts to Florida.
The Edmonton Oilers, the other Canadian NHL team remaining in the post-season, were set to begin their second-round series Wednesday in Las Vegas against the Golden Knights.
No restrictions appeared to be in place on Canadian ticket purchases for games at T-Mobile Arena.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2023.
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