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Leafs lose ugly enough to inspire “Fire Wilson” chants

Ron Wilson

FILE - In this Nov. 20, 2011, file photo, Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Ron Wilson looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C. Wilson has gotten his Christmas wish. Two days after hinting on Twitter of his desire for a new contract, Wilson said on Sunday, Dec. 25, on Twitter, the team has given him an extension. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker, File)

AP

Earlier today, PHT’s Jason Brough discussed the Toronto Maple Leafs’ need for 1) James Reimer to have a strong start and 2) Luke Schenn to avoid horrific turnovers.

The Florida Panthers built their 5-3 win off of some blatant failures in each regard as Reimer allowed two goals in 2:21, including one thanks to an absolutely unconscionable whiff by Schenn. (At least Schenn didn’t nail Reimer with his stick when he angrily reacted to the goal, although some Maple Leafs fans might have cheered for it.)

That 2-0 lead was just the beginning of an agonizing loss for the Maple Leafs, who flopped profoundly enough to inspire a “Fire [Ron] Wilson” chant a day after GM Brian Burke gave his fledgling goalies the dreaded vote of non-trade confidence. Don’t feel too bad for Wilson, though; he has a shiny contract extension that means he’ll get some more money (firing or not) and coached his 1,400th game on Tuesday.

A symbolic defeat?

If the Maple Leafs miss the playoffs - and yes, they still have a chance, morbid Buds fans - people might look at this as a microcosm of the season. Times were bad, except for Phil Kessel’s top line, as the American sniper scored goal No. 32.

(One thing that wasn’t typical, though: Nikolai Kulemin actually found the net.)

Wilson sad: a gallery of depression

To make some laughter lemonade out of this lemon of a performance, check out this gallery of unhappy Ron Wilson photos - which may or may not make Maple Leafs fans feel better.

Ron Wilson, Darryl Boyce

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson, top, looks up at the replay screen as Darryl Boyce sits on the bench during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012. (AP Photo/The Canadain Press, Darryl Dyck)

AP

(Feb. 18, 2012)

Ron Wilson

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson stands behind his bench during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012. The Penguins won in a shootout, 5-4. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

AP

(Jan. 31, 2012)

Ron Wilson

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Ron Wilson walks off the bench at the end of the Leafs 5-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks in NHL hockey action in Toronto on Saturday Nov. 13, 2010. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn)

AP

(Nov. 13, 2010 - is that cheating?)

Ron Wilson

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson reacts as he watches his team trail the Carolina Hurricanes 4-0 late in the second period of an NHL game in Toronto on Tuesday, March 2, 2010. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young)

AP

(Cheating again, March 2, 2010 but you’re not complaining right?)

Dion Phaneuf, Ron Wilson, Brian Burke

Newly-named Toronto Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf, center, poses with Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson, left, and President and GM Brian Burke during a press conference to make the announcement in Toronto Monday, June 14, 2010. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese)

AP

(Hey look, he’s almost smiling ... June 14, 2010)