Canuck Fans Riot in Vancouver After Stanley Cup Loss
May 16, 2011— -- Vancouver, British Columbia, was left to pick up the pieces this morning after angry fans of the Canucks rioted Wednesday night following the hockey team's 4-0 loss to the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals.
Police struggled to contain the crowd with tear gas as fires erupted in busy downtown intersections, storefronts were smashed by looters and people dangled from light poles.
The city's mayor, Gregor Robertson, described the rioting hockey fans as "hooligans."
"It is extremely disappointing to see the situation in downtown Vancouver turn violent after tonight's Stanley Cup game," Robertson said, according to the Associated Press. "Vancouver is a world-class city and it is embarrassing and shameful to see the type of violence and disorder we've seen tonight.
"The vast majority of people who were in the downtown tonight were there to enjoy the game in a peaceful and respectful manner. It is unfortunate that a small number of people intent on criminal activity have turned pockets of the downtown into areas involving destruction of property and confrontations with police."
Robertson has said that there were no fatalities amid the violence, although police said they have received reports of at least four stabbings. City officials were unable to confirm the reports, according to the Associated Press.
"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."
This year's Stanley Cup was intense, as the Bruins broke both a 39-year streak without a championship and also the hearts of a city that has yet to win the cup. The loss was apparently too much for some fans to bear.
"This is wrong for the city, this isn't the reputation we want," one Vancouver resident told ABC News. "This is not what the people want. Are you embarrassed? Yes, I'm embarrassed."
A similar scene erupted in the city in 1994 after the Canucks' Game 7 loss to the New York Rangers.
The Bruins are the first team in NHL history to win a Game 7 three times in the same postseason. Goalie Tim Thomas won the tournament's Conn Smyth award.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
