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Vancouver Erupts in Rioting After Canucks Lose

Fans go on rampage as Bruins lift Stanley Cup

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 16, 2011 1:20 AM CDT | Updated Jun 16, 2011 5:55 AM CDT

(Newser) – Hockey fans enraged by the Canucks' 4-0 home loss to the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals went on a rampage in downtown Vancouver. The mood turned ugly downtown as some 100,000 fans watched the game's final minutes at bars and restaurants, and on giant outdoor screens. Groups of angry Canucks fans hurled beer bottles at the screens, chanted obscenities, and set cars and garbage cans ablaze as peaceful fans fled, the Province reports. Riot police used tear gas to disperse angry mobs amid widespread looting and brawling as the mayhem spread.

"It is unfortunate that this will be the lasting memory of what was a great Stanley Cup run in Vancouver," said a police spokesman. The riot, which witnesses say was caused by a small but determined—and very drunk—minority of fans, is the biggest outbreak of civil disorder in the Canadian city since 1994, when the Canucks lost Game 7 to the New York Rangers. "It's terrible," Canucks captain Henrik Sedin said. "This city and province has a lot to be proud of, the team we have and the guys we have in here. It's too bad."

Rioters break the front doors of a Sears department store on Granville Street.
Rioters break the front doors of a Sears department store on Granville Street.   (AP Photo/The Canadian Press - Geoff Howe)
A woman lights her cigarette from a trash can fire in downtown Vancouver.
A woman lights her cigarette from a trash can fire in downtown Vancouver.   (AP Photo/The Canadian Press - Geoff Howe)
A person with a Canadian flag walks in front of a burning vehicle in Vancouver.
A person with a Canadian flag walks in front of a burning vehicle in Vancouver.   (Getty Images)
A rioter throws a mannequin at a shop in Granville Street.
A rioter throws a mannequin at a shop in Granville Street.   (AP Photo/The Canadian Press - Geoff Howe)
Riot police walk in the street as a couple kiss in Vancouver.
Riot police walk in the street as a couple kiss in Vancouver.   (Getty Images)
Smoke plumes rise from burning police cars in Vancouver.
Smoke plumes rise from burning police cars in Vancouver.   (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck)
Revelers retreat as a police flash bang goes off.
Revelers retreat as a police flash bang goes off.   (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck)
Police on horseback move down a street in Vancouver.
Police on horseback move down a street in Vancouver.   (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Ryan Remiorz)
People take pictures of burning vehicles in Vancouver.
People take pictures of burning vehicles in Vancouver.   (Getty Images)
People watch a car burn in Vancouver after the end of Game 7.
People watch a car burn in Vancouver after the end of Game 7.   (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Geoff Howe)
Police try to restore order after the Vancouver Canucks' 4-0 loss to the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals.
Police try to restore order after the Vancouver Canucks' 4-0 loss to the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals.   (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Geoff Howe)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 22 comments
Snowleopard
Jun 16, 2011 8:40 PM CDT
what f*ckn morons. some people take sports way too seriously. 
Twiny
Jun 16, 2011 9:08 AM CDT
Way to go, Canada. Lose a hockey game, destroy your own city. Can you say, fuckin' dummies, eh?
floridavet
Jun 16, 2011 8:39 AM CDT
I am not exactly a sports fan, but you gotta love the fact that the Bruins did to Canada what Lance Armstrong did to France.....heh..

 
Stanley Cup • riots • Boston Bruins • Vancouver Canucks • Vancouver • sports fans

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