Brady Tkachuk criticizes Sens fans for 'constant booing' in loss to Bolts

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk took aim at his own team's supporters after they booed the club off the ice following a 6-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night.

"It's frustrating, the negativity from the outside, the constant booing and the bullshit, kind of, from the crowd tonight," Tkachuk said postgame, according to Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch.

"I understand that they're (a) passionate fan base, and I understand that they love it, but when you face adversity, you don't turn your back on the guys out there. We're playing hard. I know it's frustrating right now. It's not like we're giving up out there, we're fighting right to the very end."

The fans at the Canadian Tire Centre chanted "Fire D.J.," referring to Senators head coach D.J. Smith, during the game.

Fire DJ" chants at the CTC. #Sens pic.twitter.com/qkFvbu1xci

- SENS TALK (@senstalk_) November 5, 2023

The crowd later showered the team with boos as the final horn sounded.

Sens are booed off of the ice as they fall to 4-6 on the season. #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/BJrnil24le

- Everyday Sens (@EverydaySens) November 5, 2023

Tkachuk insisted he and his teammates are doing everything they can to right the ship.

"We're right there. It's frustrating that we're facing a ton of adversity right now, but in here, there's no quit, and there never has been," Tkachuk said. "I don't think we've ever shown a time (when) we've quit on the people that have paid money to support us.

"It's non-negotiable in our group that we finish hard no matter what and we leave it all out there. Sometimes it's frustrating, don't get me wrong, I understand they're frustrated. But we leave it all out there."

The Senators have lost five of their last six games, including four straight at home. They're last in the Atlantic Division at 4-6-0 on the season.

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