TORONTO - A "die-hard" Toronto Maple Leafs fan, who threw a box of waffles onto the ice during a game earlier this week at the Air Canada Centre ,wants to apologize for his lack of judgment.

"I was just frustrated," said 31-year-old Joe Robb on Wednesday. "I love them so much and I just wanted to lighten things up, to get things going. I wasn't going to sit back and take it anymore."

The Oakville, Ont., resident - who has been charged with one count of mischief - admitted to smuggling a box of thawed waffles into the Leafs game against the Atlanta Thrashers Monday night because he thought it would send a clear message to his favourite team he was fed up with how they were playing.

He has also been banned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment from ever stepping foot into the Air Canada Centre, the BMO Field or the Ricoh Coliseum for an indefinite period.

Robb thinks officials are trying to "make an example" of him and he hopes an apology will show them he is trying to make amends. "My first thing is I want to call the Maple Leafs and apologize," he said. "I didn't mean for the waffles to intentionally hurt anyone."

On Tuesday, a number of Leafs lashed out at Robb, calling him an "idiot" for throwing the waffles.

"It's a little bit ridiculous," said defenceman Luke Schenn. "I think I was the closest one to it and, you know, it's just brutal. It's one thing, I guess, your fans booing you and getting all over you that way, but it's another thing for people to start throwing stuff on the ice."

Waffles were first thrown at a Leafs game on during a Dec. 9 home game.

Toronto is third last in the NHL's overall standings. The team has lost three games in a row.

Officials with MLSE could not be immediately reached for comment.

With a file from the National Post

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