Wednesday night many fans of the Vancouver Canucks were primed and ready for what could have been the first Stanley Cup in the franchise’s forty year history. The city had been a buzz all season long and had carried that confidence in their hockey club throughout the playoffs as they worked and earned their way to represent the Western Conference vs. The Eastern Conference representative Boston Bruins.
As game seven progressed it appeared clear that this was not going to be the year the Canucks would bring the Stanley Cup to Vancouver and back to Canada; it had been a long run and winding road for the President’s Trophy winners, the entire organization and their fans. As the clock ticked down it apparently was the cue for a large group of degenerate and useless members of society to turn the city in Vancouver into a complete and utter mess, a scene that reminded many of the actions that took place nearly a year ago as similar group of trash descended on downtown Toronto to make a point that rioting and vandalizing others personal and private property was their best option at expressing their feelings about the outcome of the game and other random topics as well, many of which had no meaning whatsoever relating to the run made by the hometown Canucks, let alone a G20 Summit.
For a country that prides itself on being one of the safest, cleanest and bring home to some of the friendliest people in the world, for the second time in a calendar year we have made ourselves look like a bunch of Benedict Arnold’s. The images of cars being set on fire, store windows being smashed, looting subsequently taking place and droves of people running around laughing and carrying on without a care in the air is nothing short of disgusting and embarrassing.
The city of Vancouver and it’s police department were well aware of similar incidents taking place following the Canucks game seven defeat to the New York Rangers in 1994, as well as promoting their enhanced training and background used during the 2010 winter Olympics. Unfortunately a large number of citizens decided it was best to put the city of Vancouver Police Department on the spot by turning the streets into a scene of out a low budget Hollywood movie. Numerous innocent bystanders witnessed the city they called home turned upside down, some even attempting to thwart the throngs of dimwits only to find themselves being attack for making attempt to be a good Samaritan. How anyone can justify actions like we saw Wednesday night as well as last summer in Toronto baffles and sickens me.
My view of the series was played out fairly close to the final outcome of the series; it was going to be hard fought, evenly matched and would come down to one of the teams exposing the others shortfalls. In this series, Boston’s experience, depth and a goaltending clinic we have not seen in years by Tim Thomas ended up being the main factors in the Bruins winning their first Cup since 1972 when they beat the New York Rangers. The Canucks, while possessing one of the more talented clubs throughout the regular season and playoffs found themselves up against a club that would not give them the time and space others had this past season. With the likes of Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Ryan Kesler and Alex Burrows all effectively being neutralized by their opponents, the Canucks were unable to gain a great deal of confidence on the Bruins during the series. Boston dominated the Canucks on home ice, while the Canucks won three games in Vancouver all decided by one goal in games that could have gone either way. For the Canucks to stretch this series to the limit was something most observers would say was an accomplishment.
In the end this series and the outcome will unfortunately be overshadowed by the actions of many who had nothing to do with the outcome. From those in the arena who felt it was their right to throw garbage in the direction of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman as he presented the Conn Smythe award and the Stanley Cup, to the owner of the Vancouver Canucks’ profanity laden rant to the media after the game and of course unbelievable post game nonsense that took place outside the arena will always over shadow the game so many were drawn to follow in the first place.
There will be no parade through downtown Vancouver and chances are the fans who proudly and respectively supported the Canucks will have to wait until October to officially thank the hockey club for their fine 2010-11 season. Again, the only dancing on the streets of Vancouver anyone will remember was the impromptu dance party that took place on the steps of the Vancouver Art Museum with music blaring and people living it up. Unfortunately very few others will be singing the praises of the actions and events that took place Wednesday night.
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