Not surprisingly, municipal officials from Montreal are on alert for any playoff hockey-related shenanigans that threatens to cause any harm or damage to the city. Few things incite rage in this corner of the world more so than the loss of one’s hometown hockey team, and when we consider the fact that our tenacious Boston Bruins are bitter rivals with the Canadiens, it’s probably a good thing that Montreal authorities are gearing up for classic hockey hooliganism.
According to the Associated Press, “Montreal officials say they’re staying vigilant to ensure the passion doesn’t get destructive.” With the series, tied at one game apiece, headed north to Montreal for two straight games before swinging back to Boston, officials are wary of a repeat of 2008, in which the Canadiens vanquished the Bruins in seven games to reach the Conference Semifinals of the Stanley Cup playoffs, only for their celebration to turn into a destructive riot. Oh, and they lost in the semis to Pittsburgh, four games to one.
The AP goes on to note that during that infamous mob, 16 people were arrested and police property damages were recorded as high as $500,000. As reported by CBC News, another 16 police cars were burnt or smashed while “a few hundred people, some intoxicated, marched down the downtown avenue, throwing rocks and bottles at police and torching vehicles.”
Game three of the series with our beloved Bruins kicks off Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. E.T. at which point Montreal City Councilors and police forces are confident things will stay tamer than in years past.
Few things incite rage in this corner of the world more so than the loss of one’s hometown hockey team
“We are concerned about [potential problem], but we are working with the police and we have a plan,” said Anie Simpson, the city council member in charge of public security, to the AP. “We are ready and we hope it’s going to work.”
It’s a bit funny to consider that Boston officials have yet undertake similar precautionary measures, but then there are a few items to consider. Hindsight, as they say, is 20-20 which means that Boston, having won the lion’s share of championship titles in the last 10 years, is adequately prepared for victory celebrations.
You may recall back in 2004 when the Red Sox won their first World Series since 1918, putting any talk of a curse of the Great Bambi or something to rest. Tragically, though, the subsequent celebrations resulted in the death of Emerson College student Victoria Snelgrove. The journalism major was shot in the eye with a crowd-controlling rubber bullet and sadly died.
And then there’s the 2011 riot when the Bruins won the Stanley Cup. You know, the riot that took place in Vancouver and razed the city to the ground after their Canucks couldn’t hang with the B’s. Innumerable people were arrested and/or injured while property damage costs skyrocketed as high as $5 million.
If you plan on attending the next two games in Montreal, be sure to keep your own company under control and try to represent Boston well. In the meantime, be sure to leave all your playoff predictions and statistics in the comments section below.
Image via Paul Keleher
