Stanley Cup Playoffs 2011 - This Thread Is Now About Riots

[TheRocket]

The garbage, the fires, the breaking windows, the flipped over cars and portapottys, the molotov cocktails and the fighting with riot police...Yeah. It doesn't matter WHO that car belonged to, I would be ashamed to be a Vancouverite right now. That kind of reaction because you lost a game is pathetic.

[Metcarfre]

I am not responsible for other people's behavior.

[King Kool]

The garbage, the fires, the breaking windows, the flipped over cars. It doesn't matter WHO that car belonged to, I would be ashamed to be a Vancouverite right now. That kind of reaction because you lost a game is pathetic.

No kidding, that's what Boston does if they WIN.

[TheRocket]

I meant "you" as a general term. I feel bad for people like you, Met, who are true sports fans and know how to love your team no matter what. Not burn your jersey in the road. I have a feeling most Vancouverites are not impressed with this type of behaviour and don't want to see their city in this state.

[Metcarfre]

Way over 100,000 people downtown, is it any surprise that there's 50-100 idiots in there?

[TheRocket]

Is it any surprise? no. Is it any less sad and pathetic?

[Metcarfre]

Not saying it's likely, but could there be some anarchists & etc. mixed in?

[TheRocket]

I think it's just young people trying to reenact 1994 for shock value. I honestly believe is has little to do with the game anymore.

[Metcarfre]

Yeah, definitely some guys having a jolly good time down there.

[Metcarfre]

At least one person seriously injured and had to be rescued by police. fffff...

[TheRocket]

Lovely. Listening to the people being interviewed downtown is sad "You knew this was going to happen, win or lose"

[Rikadyn]

You know...Detroit doesn't riot...

[Metcarfre]

Now I am serioulsy ashamed. What the f.

[Metcarfre]

Apparently people brought molotov cocktails downtown... those sure as hell aren't fans.

Police cars set on fire, looting, fights. Yes, now I am for sure ashamed.

[zukamori]

well to be fair, this is very tame in comparison the Montreal Riot of 08, where they trashed I think 15 cop cars just because they WON round one of the playoffs.

But I'm glad I didnt go downtown

[TheRocket]

I feel bad for the team and true 'Nuck fans, who are not going to live this down for a very long time. People will be breathing a sigh of relief whenever Van doesn't make the playoffs.

[Metcarfre]

Shut down downtown next time. We've proven we don't deserve it.

[LackingSanity]

Wow. This is just shameful. I hope everyone, especially the Boston fans, make it out ok.

[Metcarfre]

Yep. Hope the Boston fans were smart enough to take off their jerseys and get rid of them. Not worth your life.

[zukamori]

Its not that we don't deserve it, I really believe that Vancouver deserves the cup, something to give this franchise some credibility to what is one of the strongest clubs in the NHL over the past decade. But this is really the buildup of 40 year, nothing really to cheer about next to almost victories combined with heavy drinking that caused it.

[Metcarfre]

The Cup, maybe, if we can play for it again, but we've proven we shouldn't be allowed to aggregate downtown.

[Vanguard]

I... I'm... I'm not even sure where to start with this.

First off, Met and Keen, I hope this insanity doesn't spill out of downtown into whatever part of the city you're in. Also, I know that LeeLee Scaldaferri is with the crew in Victoria and, according to Tally, all of them are accounted for, so right now I think all the Runners in general are safe across the board. Thank the Maker for that.

As for... well... this... just, what the fuck? Seriously? I know I'm not a "sports guy" by any means, but I just don't see the point in this. Your city's team lost the Cup. Yes, I know, I get that, but the response of some of the fans is, after being beaten, to destroy themselves?

Jesus Christ, people, have they even stopped to think about how fucking idiotic this all is? Or is the beer they serve in the pubs down there really that good?

[AlexanderDitto]

I feel compelled to post this somewhere, because it seems 60% of my twitter feed is Canadian or something, and thus I am being inundated with hockey news.

I understand some people like sports, and friendly competition. It's not my cup of tea, but whatever. That's fine. But, two things:

1. the fact that these games (not just hockey, but sports in general) foster violence and destruction is complete crap, and

2. the fact that a loss in this or ANY game causes people to be sad, upset, angry, whatever, is extremely frustrating to me, and probably ties into #1.

It is a game. Furthermore, it is a game you have no control over. The fact that people invest so emotionally in something they have no control over that has no real world significance really bothers me. I can understand going down to the pub and having fun watching a game, rooting for a team, being happy with a win and disappointed at a loss. But the emotional response I've seen here is completely out of control.

A lot of people need a big reality check.

Edit: Aaaand Vanguard just posted exactly what I wanted to say.

[Metcarfre]

I think it's fairly clear at least some people came dowtown with the intention of stirring up trouble - bringing molotovs, weapons, etc. The majority are just drunk or thinking they're going to catch a Pulitzer-winning photo on their iPhone.

Seriously, more than half the people down there are just blithely ignoring police so they can record the action.

No worries out here - it's probably at least an hour's walk from downtown, we'll be fine. The rioting is fairly contained downtown (which is physically restricted by water on three sides).

[ChiUnit4evr]

I hope every LRR-er in Vancouver is alright. Coming from a town that has pulled some craziness in the past due to major sports victories, I absolutely understand the emotional investment that comes with it. The fact of the matter is, everyone is upset yes, and taken individually, that disappointment is easy to manage, but once you get a group of people with the same mindset all in one place, disaster is going to strike. All it takes is for one person in the crowd to scream "flip that car" and the groupthink takes over from there.

That said, knowing WHY it happens doesn't mean I'm ok with it happening. On the bright side though (if there can be one), the city of Vancouver has learned an important lesson tonight that letting a large group of individuals congregate in an area like that, under those circumstances without the proper security detail there to break these things up before they escalate is foolish. Next year, I can guarantee the city will take the proper steps to make sure everyone is safe. It's a shame that it had to happen to make those in charge realize their errors, but such is life sometimes.