Oops, we did it again - Vancouver riots after Boston wins Stanley Cup

Bruce Bennett, Getty Images

The Boston Bruins claimed the 2011 Stanley Cup with a 4-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night, winning the best-of-seven series in the final game played at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC. It was a tough way to lose for the Canucks players and their fans after winning the first two games of the series and having the chance to win the Cup at home one last time. High expectations brought with it high emotions and disappointment.

You'd think that the City of Vancouver would have learned from the past and prepared for it accordingly. No one can say that there wasn't fair warning. However, the city wasn't ready for it.

At least that is the way it appears from afar.

After last night's loss, rioting took place once again, similar to events in 1994 after the Canucks lost in the Stanley Cup final series to the New York Rangers. This was happening to the point that social media reports indicated that police, fire and rescue personnel were being advised not enter into areas during the height of the rioting. Just who was in control of the city at that point?

Though it was 17 years ago and it was probably assumed that people would hold their emotions in check and not destroy their city again and represent themselves as hooligans, in hockey of all sports, that did not happen.

Vancouver makes YouTube again

As the Bruins hoisted their first Stanley Cup since 1972, the scenes from 1994 in Vancouver re-emerged.

(Footage via MoxNews.com)
 

 

Many are blaming a few, some not even hockey fans, for making everyone else look bad and tainting what hockey fans and the Stanley Cup is about - sportsmanship, pride, history and tradition. A game was lost, but the world was not coming to an end. However, it seems that some wanted to create a spark to create something to that end. Let's hope that new traditions are not being created for losing the chance at winning the Stanley Cup, particularly from hockey fans in Canada.

Unfortunately, after Wednesday night's game, Lord Stanley's Cup has another smudge on it.