Backlash hits Corey Perry: Oilers locker room footage ignites fan fury

The atmosphere was palpable in the Oilers' locker room, depicted in a now viral video that captured the team grappling with their defeat in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Corey Perry, in particular, found himself at the center of controversy as the footage circulated online. Fans' frustrations boiled over on social media, with Perry bearing the brunt of the blame for what many are dubbing a "Stanley Cup curse."

Since his victory in 2007, Perry has appeared in the Finals five times but has clinched the cup only once.

This track record has sparked a mix of superstition and resentment among NHL fans, who've half-jokingly attributed a curse to the veteran winger.

The latest round of online criticism was sparked by a tweet from Sportsnet, which highlighted Perry's role in the Oilers' painful loss.

While some fans were quick to point fingers, others urged for a more sympathetic view of the situation. Tweets from notable accounts like @gatlin_sanders and @FeitsBarstool echoed the sentiment that while the loss was disappointing, the responsibility shouldn't fall on Perry alone.

The backlash against Perry underscores a larger trend in sports culture where players often become scapegoats for team failures.

Despite the heated debate, it's clear that no single player can bear full responsibility for a team's performance, and the notion of a "curse" remains more a fixture of fan folklore than of actual sport analysis.

As the dust settles on this year's Stanley Cup Finals, the discussion around Perry and the Oilers is a stark reminder of the pressures and expectations athletes face.

While the criticism might fade, the images of a dejected Perry and his teammates will linger as a poignant moment from this NHL season.