Ryan Reaves and Mathieu Olivier dropped their gloves and engaged in a heavyweight fight just 92 seconds into Wednesday's game between the Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets.

"It was great," said centre Auston Matthews. "I mean, that's still a big part of the game, and he's a big part of this team. You love to see that. Would've liked a little more energy from the crowd after that. I thought it was a little quiet, especially after two guys like that go at it."

Matthews' critique of the home fans raised eyebrows following Toronto's 5-1 loss to Columbus, which matched the team's largest margin of defeat this season.

"He's our captain and we look up to him," said winger Steven Lorentz. "We follow him into battle, and what he says we're right there with him."

The Leafs lead the NHL with 19 home wins, but there have been boos during a couple recent losses to the Vancouver Canucks and Dallas Stars.

"Every building can be quiet at times," said Lorentz, who grew up a big fan of the Leafs in Kitchener, Ont. "Every building can be loud at times ...We weren't playing our best hockey at some points. We really rely on that energy from the crowd."

The fans inside Scotiabank Arena have a reputation for being reserved at times, especially in the lower bowl.

"We know we have probably the most extensive fan base in hockey and in probably across a lot of sports as well," said goalie Joseph Woll. "We love our fans and we feel their support not only in Scotiabank, but on the road. There's places where we'll have more fans than the other team, places like Buffalo. I think what's important is we love our fans and we love when they're loud and they're rocking and that energy is special for us."

Woll recalled how crazy the building in Toronto was after the Leafs won Game 6 in the playoff series against the Boston Bruins last spring.

"That experience of how loud the fans were will forever be in my mind," the 26-year-old said. "How much energy and how much support they bring for us is unbelievable. It's our job to continue to give them a reason to cheer and a reason to be loud and be there for us, but I have no doubt that we have the best fan base in the world."

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Matthews wasn't just criticizing the crowd on Wednesday. He was also sticking up for Reaves, who has been in and out of the lineup lately.

"It was a great moment for him," Matthews said of the 37-year-old. "I thought it gave us some energy on the bench."

Reaves had gone his first 29 games this season without a fight. During Saturday's game in Montreal, his challenge to Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj was dismissively declined.

"He's been looking for one for a while, so you've got to give kudos to the guy on the other side as well," Matthews said.

Bringing energy to the team is what Reaves was brought in to do. He's actually recorded a video pumping up the fans that runs just before the players hit the ice before home games.

Fighting is another way to create a buzz and it certainly seemed to get the Leafs bench going on Wednesday.

"I got a front-row seat to it," Lorentz said. "Pretty........

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