Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Both Quinn and Luke Hughes had a message for Maple Leafs fans after Auston Matthews led them to a gold medal — enough with the criticisms.
Led by Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, the team withstood a potent Canadian attack and were able to make sure they held off Connor McDavid and company — though they were severely shorthanded too.
But at the end of the day, it was Matthews who was the leader and who brought the Americans the gold, and for someone who has often be ridiculed and criticized for his lack of producing when it matters, this has to be vindicating.
Hughes Brothers tick up for Auston Matthews after gold medal win
However it was his two teammates that also had a message for those doubters (and specifically Toronto fans): Enough is enough, and it’s time to give Matthews his flowers.
Both Quinn and Luke Hughes spoke about Matthews’ leadership afterwards and pointed to previous criticisms about his lack of leadership and commented that now there should be no more doubts and the focus needs to be on the current, not the past:
Quinn directed his comments towards the media in Toronto and said that they should be focused on the fact Matthews was the leader and did end up winning the big one:
That’s what the media in Toronto should be talking about. Auston led us to a championship.
His younger brother Luke also threw his two cents in and says all of the chatter about Matthews previously means nothing now:
Doesn’t matter what anyone says now Auston Matthews is a winner.
For Matthews, he’s just trying to get himself off of Cloud Nine and prepare himself for the rest of the NHL season, and that right now all that matters is enjoying the moment:
I’m trying to live in the moment.
As Matthews now heads back into the fray for the Maple Leafs, he has to be given all the credit in the world considering that from day one of the Games he was given a lot of flak for being captain but clearly it was the right call.
These comments show that not only do these players respect Matthews but obviously know the elite level of talent he brings, and seeing him constantly criticized for the tiniest little error overshadow all the good he has done is frustrating.
No one can call Auston Matthews the bridesmaid anymore, he finally got his first real big championship — with his eyes set on another in the very near future.
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Hughes brothers have a message for Toronto media after Auston Matthews wins gold
Does Auston Matthews still deserve criticism?