Oh No Canada....

As most of you probably know, I’m a huge sports fan and last night was Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.  I know what you’re probably thinking, hockey?  Really?  Well, believe it or not, I was actually into the hockey playoffs this year, or at least the last three rounds.  I don’t really follow any one team but being a Red Sox fan and seeing that the Boston Bruins hadn’t won a championship since the early 70’s I began following them.  I was treated to some really good hockey.  I can honestly say that in the last month or so, I’ve watched more hockey than I have in my entire life.  All three series were pretty fantastic and Game 7’s in any sport are usually great games.  Unfortunately for Vancouver Canuck fans, it was pretty anti-climatic as the Bruins rolled to a 4-0 win and it really wasn’t all that close at the end.  The sad thing, the game isn’t what this post is about; instead it’s about the sore-loser Canadian fans that were classless, dangerous and downright stupid for their actions in the final minutes of the game and after.

Canadian fans set the tone for the night by first booing our National Anthem, then loudly singing along to their anthem.  Real class there Vancouver, real class!  I’ve been to numerous baseball and even hockey games where a visiting Canadian city is in town (Toronto and Montreal) and have NEVER heard fans boo during the Canadian anthem.  NEVER!  Not only was this disrespectful but it was ignorant and just plain stupid.  My opinions and thoughts on Canada were not all that high before I heard this but now I will make it a point to not only SIT during your anthem but any time I can to absolutely ignore and/or miss when a Canadian team is in town.

That aside, after the game, when the Bruins were receiving the Stanley Cup and getting their praise from the Commissioner and the NHL, the fans loudly booed.  They booed so loudly it was tough to hear at times and it again showed poor class.  I’ve watched a lot of series clinching games that were won by the visiting team and I can’t remember one where the visiting team was treated with such disdain.  I even remember when the Red Sox won game 7 of the American League Championship Series in New York in 2004 after an improbably comeback that Yankee fans didn’t boo.  YANKEE FANS!  They HATE the Red Sox and even they didn’t loudly boo during the ceremony (granted, most had exited before the final pitch anyway, but that’s for another post).  Again, Vancouver, really?  Are you that ignorant?

During the final moments and after the game, the Vancouver fans and general public also rioted.  Yup, they rioted and acted like a bunch of poor-sport babies because their team couldn’t pull off the win when they were up 2-0.  Fans set cars on fire, even some police cruisers, local stores were destroyed, windows damaged and looting and people were injured while these crybabies acted like idiots.  While not ALL fans destroyed the city, there were thousands that participated and I just don’t get it.  I’ve seen fans go crazy after they WIN a series and flip cars and cause some ruckus but never really seen the destruction that happened after the game last night.  Here’s a good website with some video and photos (http://www.twirlit.com/2011/06/16/vancouver-riots-2011-photos-city-destroyed-after-canucks-loss-watch/).  As you can see, utter chaos!  I guess it’s true; Canadians are really into their hockey…perhaps a little too into their hockey!

Maybe it’s me but Canada definitely lost some of my respect and I can bet some Americans are waking up today with some bad views of Canada.  I know, personally, I never really thought much of Canada to begin with but with events like this, it just really puts a bad taste in my mouth.  Grow up Canada….it’s just a game.

What are your opinions?  Do you agree?  Were the rioting, booing of the National Anthem and booing during the presentation ceremony disrespectful and class-less?  Let me know!