Comments on: The Canucks have removed the grievances their fans had

The Canucks have removed the grievances their fans had

PercussivePaul — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:25:04 -0800

What would a pro sports playoff drive be without a fan-written tribute song? For those anticipating Game 7 of the Stanley Cup playoffs tonight, here for your enjoyment is Canucks Waleyan Ne, a Bhangra song written by members of Vancouver's large South Asian community. English lyrics available here (pdf), pasted below the fold for your convenience.

"CANUCKS WALEYAN NE" SONY DHUGGA Music Nick Chowlia Lyrics Kulvir Sandhu The Canucks have removed the grievances their fans had, They've created an aura of éclat, They've attacked the (opposition) net, Have dislodged the net with their forceful play, And taught Boston a lesson The boys come charging like a bullet, Are broad chested They've got the Hockey sticks in their hands, They are fearless, And go after the opposition like a thunderous storm. The Canucks have removed the grievances... Boston a lesson There is a Punjabi lad, A handsome guy Named Manny Malhotra Charges at the goal, Roars like a lion And is very impressive People come and celebrate on the intersection of Scott Rd. & 72 They beat the Dhol (Punjabi Drum) and even folks from Abbotsford come and do Bhangra (Punjabi celebration dance) as well The Canucks have removed the grievances... Boston a lesson What can I say in the praise of the Sedin brothers, They are precious for the Canucks, They're brothers and are an asset to the game When they work in tandem They are unstoppable, And unbreakable The Canucks have removed the grievances... Boston a lesson No one can match Louango, He catches the puck even if it comes on to him like a flying snake, He remains alert and people call him the Atom Bomb And the Great Wall of China. Burrows and Kesler are also great players, No one can touch 'em No one can scare 'em They're also looking for an opportunity to score... The Canucks have removed the grievances... Boston a lesson People go and pray at the Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) They ask the Almighty to help the Canucks with a win and bless them with the Stanley Cup Kulvir Sahota woke up early one morning, And wrote these couplets dedicated to the Canucks Sony sang those words in his powerful voice And Nick prepared the score. All these guys devoted their time for the Canucks. The Canucks have removed the grievances... Boston a lesson

By: Curious Artificer

Curious Artificer — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:30:44 -0800

This is a little thin. LIKE THE SHOTS LUONGO MISSED MONDAY NIGHT, AMIRITE?!?

By: GuyZero

GuyZero — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:32:15 -0800

Oh, Vancouver. What I find funny is that both teams have something like 13 Canadian players, so really, who cares who wins - Canadians take it either way.

By: nathancaswell

nathancaswell — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:33:21 -0800

so really, who cares who wins The citizens of Boston and Vancouver?

By: Keith Talent

Keith Talent — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:40:01 -0800

The East Indian fan centre at Scott & 72nd is about the only likeable thing about this dismal team or it's idiot fans. That's my biggest regret of this run, I haven't hung out with the brown men. Plus I suspect the snacks may be better than downtown.

By: josher71

josher71 — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:43:13 -0800

This is awesome!!! Love it. Thanks for posting.

By: Mister Fabulous

Mister Fabulous — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:45:29 -0800

What time is it? 12 past Luongo. FFS I've been watching Vancouver all season and if the Nucks don't win I'm going to drive up there with molotovs.

By: crashlanding

crashlanding — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:49:54 -0800

It was over for the Canucks in game six from the second the puck dropped. Just look at that first shift, it was a real back breaker.

By: lumpenprole

lumpenprole — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:53:03 -0800

What I find funny is that both teams have something like 13 Canadian players, so really, who cares who wins - Canadians take it either way. Me. I care. Maybe you can let the Canucks know you don't care, thanks.

By: jacquilynne

jacquilynne — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:53:44 -0800

Wow. Really? Jokes about the fact that Luongo leaks like sieve when he's under pressure, sure? Fine. Jokes about Alex Burrows biting people? Well deserved. But jokes about Mason Raymond breaking his back? Truly classless and unfunny.

By: reformedjerk

reformedjerk — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:53:54 -0800

It was over for the Canucks in game six from the second the puck dropped. Just look at that first shift, it was a real back breaker. The guy suffered a vertebrae compression fracture that could be career threatening. Come on, man.

By: nathancaswell

nathancaswell — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:55:37 -0800

By: lumpenprole

lumpenprole — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:57:12 -0800

Yeah, I'm rooting for the Bruins, and whacking Horton was nasty, but let's not joke about Raymond. That sucked, and if it ended his career, it was a tragedy.

By: Kabanos

Kabanos — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:59:43 -0800

I love the fact that we can watch NHL games in Punjabi on CBC. Here's an interview with Parminder Singh (play by play) and Harnarayan Singh (colour commentary).

By: Eideteker

Eideteker — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:01:43 -0800

Man, is hockey still going on? In June? Isn't basketball over already? A sport that doesn't require ice and could theoretically take place at any time of year? I thought global warming was supposed to put an end to this nonsense...

By: nathancaswell

nathancaswell — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:04:03 -0800

it's their rink, it's their ice and it's their fucking town go bs

By: lesbiassparrow

lesbiassparrow — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:04:18 -0800

If the Canucks don't win it will be all my fault. I have an excellent track record of supporting teams that will break your heart. See: Hartford Whalers (what the hell was I thinking?), Nottingham Forest, and the LA Kings. And Donegal and Sligo's hurling teams.

By: TwoWordReview

TwoWordReview — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:09:45 -0800

And Donegal and Sligo's hurling teams. That's just mad!

By: TwoWordReview

TwoWordReview — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:12:01 -0800

(But as a San Jose Sharks and Dublin football supporter I'm no stranger to heartbreak from my sports teams)

By: lesbiassparrow

lesbiassparrow — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:13:40 -0800

That's just mad! Tiocfaidh ár lá! I mean one day all the other teams have to taken down by food poisoning or something, right?

By: Slap*Happy

Slap*Happy — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:13:50 -0800

Boston ain't Phoenix or Tampa Bay - hockey is serious stuff in New England, with youth leagues, semi-pro leagues and serious private school and college leagues all being very popular. Hockey's in the blood here, as much as in Canada - we have winter, too, yaknow. We've had teams poached for warmer climates with bigger media markets. We get it. It's been a tough time to be into the Bruins, what with world championships coming in all of the other big league sports (except for the Revs, who are now known as "The Buffalo Bills of Soccer") - the hard-bitten fans are enjoying every agonizing minute of this.

By: dobie

dobie — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:18:01 -0800

Boston fans cheering when Mason Raymond broke his back solidified their villainy in my opinion. No class.

By: auto-correct

auto-correct — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:19:08 -0800

I thought about making this into it's own post since it's really good, but I'll put it here instead: Down Goes Brown addresses the fans of the winning team from the future.

By: auto-correct

auto-correct — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:23:09 -0800

Boston fans cheering when Mason Raymond broke his back solidified their villainy in my opinion. No class. I won't defend Vancouver fans or players for any of the shit they've pulled this series, but the least you can do as fans is give a round of applause when an injured player comes off the ice. Hearing that chant made me hate hockey.

By: Nabubrush

Nabubrush — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:29:00 -0800

I won't defend Vancouver fans or players for any of the shit they've pulled this series, but the least you can do as fans is give a round of applause when an injured player comes off the ice. Hearing that chant made me hate hockey. Don't hate hockey for that. Hate Boston, like all good sports fans do.

By: Mister Fabulous

Mister Fabulous — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:34:00 -0800

Hate Boston, like all good sports fans do. Hmm.. t-shirt idea?

By: nathancaswell

nathancaswell — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:45:34 -0800

at least we're not philly

By: larry_darrell

larry_darrell — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:02:33 -0800

We've had a guy unconscious, one with a broken back. What we need tonight is a good clean dismemberment for the hat trick. Can't wait for the season to end so my fellow Canadians can get back to slamming the Yanks about how violent their culture is.

By: justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow

justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:13:53 -0800

This song is much better than the Canucks.

By: antifuse

antifuse — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:15:40 -0800

I'm conflicted - as a Canadian, I think there's more net *yay* to Canadians in general (ie the population of Vancouver) if Vancouver wins, despite the fact that Vancouver and Boston have the same number of Canadian players. Having said that, I feel like the Canucks have been seriously outplayed in this series, and they don't really *deserve* it. Yes, they've managed to win 3 games - but by one goal in each game. The games that Boston has won have been blowouts, pretty much. And if Tim Thomas doesn't win the Conn Smythe, REGARDLESS of whether or not Boston wins tonight, it will be a complete travesty of justice (and this wouldn't be the first time that a player from the losing team won the Conn).

By: Mister Fabulous

Mister Fabulous — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:18:39 -0800

And if Tim Thomas doesn't win the Conn Smythe, REGARDLESS of whether or not Boston wins tonight, it will be a complete travesty of justice (and this wouldn't be the first time that a player from the losing team won the Conn). Thomas would have to have one hell of a choke to not win the Conn Smythe.

By: Tesseractive

Tesseractive — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:22:57 -0800

I don't have a team in the finals, but I love this song, and I love Metafilter hockey threads. I'm living in one of those warm places that doesn't really "get" hockey. Makes me miss home, it does.

By: antifuse

antifuse — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:26:53 -0800

Thomas would have to have one hell of a choke to not win the Conn Smythe. Well, his only downfall may be that he'll lose some votes if Boston doesn't win - because some stupid voters might factor that in. But those voters would be stupid. Dumb, stupid voters.

By: rocket88

rocket88 — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:27:07 -0800

I have no allegiance or hatred for either of these teams, and I don't buy into that "Canadian team" crap about Vancouver. They play for a city, not a country. The one thing that has me hoping for a Bruins victory tonight is the disgusting style of hockey this Canucks team has been playing in the post-season. They're blatantly diving and embellishing to try to draw undeserved penalties, whining and complaining about officials when games don't go their way, and taking every cheap-shot they can. I'd hate to see that behaviour rewarded with a Stanley Cup.

By: Capt. Renault

Capt. Renault — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:34:35 -0800

I have no love for either team, but am leaning towards Vancouver, if only because I quite enjoy the Green Men, and as a Habs fan, the sight of Chara smiling fills me with Teh Rage.

By: nathancaswell

nathancaswell — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:35:05 -0800

They're blatantly diving and embellishing to try to draw undeserved penalties So I take it you're not a Habs fan either.

By: antifuse

antifuse — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:39:16 -0800

the sight of Chara smiling fills me with Teh Rage. Not a Habs fan, but also very much a Chara hater. And not even really sure why I hate him so much. He just angers me, him and his stupid Chara face.

By: nathancaswell

nathancaswell — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:42:03 -0800

He just angers me, him and his stupid Chara face. How can you hate a mug like this? He's hilarious. He's like watching Frankenstein's monster on skates... if Frankenstein's monster played shutdown defense and unloaded massive slapshots.

By: jacquilynne

jacquilynne — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:44:14 -0800

I can't see any way around Thomas getting the Conn Smythe, regardless of the outcome of tonight's game. Even if I ignore Boston , I have a hard time picking out a playoff MVP just for Vancouver. Kesler seems the most likely, but he hasn't exactly torn it up in recent games, either.

By: dobie

dobie — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:48:03 -0800

rocket88, my opinion is that the Canucks have already been penalized with legitimate calls not going their way because of their antics. It really has worked against them to the extent that it makes it look like the refs are being paid off by Bettman: 4 game suspension on a north-south hit on a guy admiring his pass. Nobody even touched the puck, no suspension. 2 minute minor penalty for hitting from behind into the boards (versus San Jose). No suspension on a hit from behind into the boards (versus San Jose). Whereas the Bruins don't even get penalties on hits like this when no one is even close to the puck.

By: penduluum

penduluum — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:54:02 -0800

I have a ton of really good friends in Boston, some of whom are really big sports fans, very few of whom seem to care all that much about this. Also I have wanted to move to Vancouver since I was about 19. Go Canucks.

By: nathancaswell

nathancaswell — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:56:10 -0800

I have a ton of really good friends in Boston, some of whom are really big sports fans, very few of whom seem to care all that much about this. Whaaaa? Boston has Bruins fever right now dude. It's crazy. You could make the case that they're pink hat bandwaggoners, sure. But the city is nuts about the Bruins right now.

By: Ironmouth

Ironmouth — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:59:41 -0800

a Bhangra song written by members of Vancouver's large South Asian community. is that why in the opening part of game 1 there was a Sikh mountie holding the Canadian Flag?

By: lydhre

lydhre — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:00:53 -0800

I have a ton of really good friends in Boston, some of whom are really big sports fans, very few of whom seem to care all that much about this. Hmmmmmm. Your friends are either comatose or you're misinformed.

By: Kabanos

Kabanos — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:11:59 -0800

Stupid Chara Face. Happy Chara Face. Angry Chara Face. Sexy Chara Face. Frankenstein Chara Face. The New Chara Face of Coke.

By: lesbiassparrow

lesbiassparrow — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:15:00 -0800

That happy Chara face will haunt my nightmares for many days. He looks like a man whose evil plans have all finally come to fruition. All he needs is a white cat to stroke and more mwahahahing speech bubbles.

By: rollbiz

rollbiz — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:41:26 -0800

This has easily been the craziest 2 months of my life as a sports fan. GO BRUINS!

By: Blazecock Pileon

Blazecock Pileon — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:52:13 -0800

By: PercussivePaul

PercussivePaul — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:54:33 -0800

If I'd had time or inclination I might have done a more proper Stanley Cup thread, maybe going over the stories of both teams, but I didn't, and neither has anyone else, so oh well. I hope once it's over, or once the game is about to start, that someone gives the subject the really thorough treatment it deserves. One of the really interesting stories for me is how the City of Vancouver (and other cities throughout BC) have been setting up public viewing areas, in part to recapture the energy of the Olympics one year ago. Crowds downtown have been absolutely epic. 100,000 fans; a dull roar of cheering and cacophonous honking all night following a win. And tonight, the promise of a big celebration, or the fear of a violent riot echoing the 1994 loss in the Stanley Cup finals. The city is definitely on edge.

By: Rumple

Rumple — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:02:28 -0800

at least we're not philly You're getting damn close, though.

By: ashbury

ashbury — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:11:13 -0800

There was a song written for Pavel Bure many years ago that was on Vancouver radio during the playoffs (I think...). Sung to the tune Louie Louie. It was pretty good. Lyrics: Bure Bure, wooh no, score that goal- yeah yeah yeah yeah, When Bure Bure scores, the crowd roars Jim Robson, his voice yeah it starts to roar When Pavel winds on down the ice and scores Tom Larscheid explains all them fancy moves He's spinnin' cartwheels in the broadcast booth They're singing Bure Bure, wooh no, score that goal- yeah yeah yeah yeah, When Bure Bure scores, the crowd roars Dan Russell raves about Pavel's speed The Sportstalk Orchestra all agree The Rocket from Russia goes end-to-end Scott Woodgate and Dan they just shake their heads Singing Bure Bure, wooh no, score that goal- yeah yeah yeah yeah When Pasha kicks it in overdrive The other team's defence runs and hides Coach Pat is wearin' a big old grin Cause the Rocket just buried the puck again He sayin' Bure Bure, wooh no, score that goal- yeah yeah yeah yeah, When Bure Bure scores, the crowd roars Bure Bure, wooh no, score that goal- yeah yeah yeah yeah, When Bure Bure scores, the crowd roars Bure Bure, wooh no, highlight goals When Bure Bure scores, with help from Igor Bure Bure...He shoots, HE SCORES!

By: wensink

wensink — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:14:28 -0800

Booze + a 5:00 pm PDT start + $1000 tickets + 100,000 fans downtown + local media feeding conspiracy theories of the NHL pulling strings to ensure Boston wins the Stanley Cup = riot (if Vancouver loses). Taking a trip down memory lane, here's how Vancouver fans responded to their Game 7 loss in 1994.

By: schoolgirl report

schoolgirl report — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:26:12 -0800

the sight of Chara smiling fills me with Teh Rage Chara doesn't "smile" per se. It's just what happens when his killer cyborg circuitry glitches.

By: tocts

tocts — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:39:46 -0800

One of the really interesting stories for me is how the City of Vancouver (and other cities throughout BC) have been setting up public viewing areas, in part to recapture the energy of the Olympics one year ago. Interesting contrast: the city of Boston refused to allow the Garden to be used for a public viewing of Game 7, citing security concerns. They have also put in place parking bans for portions of the city, and (so I heard this morning on the news) decreed that all bars remotely near the Garden have to close at the start of the 3rd period.

By: jacquilynne

jacquilynne — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:59:13 -0800

Well, the Vancouver police probably have some relatively recently developed crowd control and riot suppression plans ready and waiting.

By: nathancaswell

nathancaswell — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:10:20 -0800

Boston is wary of a repeat of the Victoria Snelgrove incident. That's why they are being so aggressive in shutting down the area around the Garden.

By: gimonca

gimonca — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:11:33 -0800

Hartford Whalers (what the hell was I thinking?) I have a personal rule not to support teams that share names with Burger King specialty sandwiches, past or present.

By: dobie

dobie — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:16:09 -0800

It is a madhouse downtown Vancouver today. I have a feeling it is going to be a late night regardless what happens.

By: jess

jess — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:36:57 -0800

The East Indian fan centre at Scott & 72nd is about the only likeable thing about this dismal team or it's idiot fans. "Its" fans. No apostrophe. Now, about you calling me an idiot.... :)

By: octothorpe

octothorpe — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 17:24:11 -0800

Hartford Whalers (what the hell was I thinking? I spent way too much time in the Hartford Airport on Sunday evening waiting for my plane to show and was surprised to see shops selling Whalers paraphernalia. Kinda sad.

By: bwg

bwg — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 17:26:51 -0800

As a Canadian, I will love any Bhangra song with the word "hockey" in it.

By: D_I

D_I — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 17:50:11 -0800

Kinda sad. There is nothing sad about Brass Bonanza!

By: ThatSomething

ThatSomething — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 18:15:34 -0800

I don't know. I'm hoping Boston takes it, but this may want to make you root for Vancouver.

By: Flashman

Flashman — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:40:12 -0800

Stopped by Thomas....stopped by Thomas....stopped by Thomas....stopped by Thomas....stopped by Thomas....stopped by Thomas.......

By: Jode

Jode — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:47:13 -0800

Great song. Too bad. .

By: Blazecock Pileon

Blazecock Pileon — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:55:24 -0800

Man, that crowd does not like Bettman.

By: Renoroc

Renoroc — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 20:27:48 -0800

Daniel and Henrik Sedin: Two girls, no Cup

By: nathancaswell

nathancaswell — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 20:40:23 -0800

I know I would hate Brad Marchand if he were not a Bruin, but what a player. What an annoying, chippy little player.

By: antifuse

antifuse — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 20:45:06 -0800

Man, that crowd does not like Bettman. Doesn't he get booed pretty much every year? Good. Little f'ing weasle

By: PercussivePaul

PercussivePaul — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 21:23:22 -0800

There are at least two, maybe three cars burning in downtown Vancouver. I got close enough to see the flames and smell the smoke. Georgia and Seymour streets are clogged with people moving quickly in random directions. Ominous sounds of loud bangs and sirens and helicopters overhead. Cops starting to restrict access to side streets -- saw some in riot gear, but most not. Expect they will be clearing crowds soon. 99.9% of people just milling around and gawking - only saw a handful actually "rioting", by which I mean pushing down portapotties. Once they smashed a window I decided to go home.

By: Curious Artificer

Curious Artificer — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 21:29:36 -0800

Thanks, PP. In Boston, it's now 1 1/2 hours since the game ended and NONE of the three channels have reported anything but the "rioting" going on around the Garden and other areas of the city. In between split-screen shots of the "rioting" going on in Vancouver, of course.

By: PercussivePaul

PercussivePaul — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 21:39:27 -0800

Police cars set on fire. Watching the live stream on CBC right now. Pretty wild.

By: Curious Artificer

Curious Artificer — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 21:49:38 -0800

By: Phlegmco(tm)

Phlegmco(tm) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 22:18:44 -0800

On the other hand, the Canucks really looked gassed, didn't they? I don't think they can lay this at Luongo's feet - the whole Vancouver team just didn't do enough to win a game seven on their own ice. I think they ran out of steam over the course of the season in their chase for the Presidents trophy. Because they are very good team they were able to win 3 rounds without necessarily raising their game to 'playoff hockey' levels. In recent years the team that wins the regular season has rarely won the the Stanley Cup. Boston was just better, and found a way after the first 2 games to force Vancouver to play their game. This is the drive that Vancouver needed and couldn't find consistently in the playoffs other than Kesler against the Predators. As far as the riots go, I would imagine very few of those folks are from Vancouver. I was taking transit home from work today and they were streaming into to the city center and you could just feel the edge in the crowd. 800 buttheads, 3000 people milling about, and 100 000 people peacefully going home after the game.

By: wowbobwow

wowbobwow — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 22:41:32 -0800

Seeing our team lose so badly is sad enough. Seeing bros looting The Bay and lighting stuff on fire is just pathetic.

By: auto-correct

auto-correct — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 23:30:53 -0800

I just got home from watching the game. I almost decided to hang out in the crowd downtown during the game, but used my head instead and went to a friend's house in Kits. Biking home to East Van was a weird experience though. The streets were eerily quiet, and a lot of people were gathered on the South side of False Creek. It was just after dusk, and downtown looked like it was in a movie. There were two major plumes of smoke (which I knew from watching the news before I left were just from car fires) and probably four helicopters circling above. All the bridges were blocked to get into downtown*... I didn't stop to ask if you could get in if you lived there. The police didn't really look up for a conversation. Everywhere outside of downtown people were super chill, even on Broadway. I'm really disappointed about the riot because I really liked the way the fans in the arena dealt with the loss. They cheered the Canucks at the end of the game, booed the hell out of Bettman (as all hockey fans should), and then managed to cheer for Thomas and Chara** as they were awarded their trophies. That class was lacking in the crowd outside the arena. Everyone I spoke to around False Creek were mostly depressed, a little about the game and a lot about what happened afterwards. I think it was a combination of a few douchebag wannabe anarchists looking for trouble, a whole lot of rubberneckers, and massive failure of crowd management on the part of the police (I personally believe that nothing starts a riot faster than black-armoured riot police, but I know a lot of reasonable people disagree with that). Needless to say I didn't venture into downtown myself. But I'm thinking of biking in tomorrow morning since I have the day off to survey the damage, and if I remember to I'll report back. *If you don't know Vancouver, the downtown is on a peninsula separated by bridges and viaducts from the rest of the city. Provides a pretty unique challenge in situations like this, and I'll be very interested to hear what the VPD's original game plan was. **One thing that I'd never realized before is that in the NBA, the commish hands the trophy to the team's owner. In the NHL, the commish hands it to the team's captain. One more reason to love hockey

By: mrzarquon

mrzarquon — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 23:40:03 -0800

I was talking to my girlfriend as I was watching the game, I had just got into a bar and read her the score backwards, thinking it was 0-1 Canucks (vs 1-0 Bruins leading). When I corrected myself, she was heart broken. The rest of the night was only worse. Luckily she is in Wisconsin, where there aren't many cars to set on fire or riot with.

By: octothorpe

octothorpe — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 03:57:52 -0800

Who riots when they lose? You're supposed to sulk quietly.

By: nathancaswell

nathancaswell — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 06:17:47 -0800

Cheering Chara, the cup and Thomas was very classy. Actually got kind of emotional when the crowd went nuts for the hometown boy Lucic. Shame about the riots.

By: antifuse

antifuse — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 08:06:41 -0800

On the other hand, the Canucks really looked gassed, didn't they? I don't think they can lay this at Luongo's feet - the whole Vancouver team just didn't do enough to win a game seven on their own ice. THey can't lay this ENTIRELY at Luongo's feet. Being unable to score a single goal in game 7 of the Stanley Cup final, at home, is pretty ridiculous. But who's to say how much harder they would have been fighting in the 3rd period if they weren't already down 3-0?

By: hurdy gurdy girl

hurdy gurdy girl — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:18:47 -0800

Oh this is just depressing. I've been listening to the coverage on CBC Radio all day today. I'm kind of surprised at how sad this makes me feel--yes, I was hoping the Canucks would win the cup, but I feel much worse about the random destruction in downtown Vancouver. I hope they can identify and nail all the fuckers who were responsible for the damage last night. Setting fires to cars? Smashing windows? What is WRONG with people? I remember watching 1994's Game Six at a downtown bar, and although there was no riot that night, the crowd was a strange mix of celebratory and feral. My friends and I felt unsafe, so we left quickly. After witnessing the tension in the crowd after the Canucks WON Game Six, we did not go downtown for Game Seven--a wise choice, as it turned out. But I am convinced some people were just itching for an excuse--any excuse--to wreak havoc no matter what. So, as pessimistic as it sounds, I kind of think what happened last night would probably have happened even if the Canucks had won. It can't just be attributed to sore loser Canucks fans.

By: wowbobwow

wowbobwow — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:38:00 -0800

A nice footnote to the riots: many hundreds of volunteers helping to clean up downtown today.