VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Parked cars and garbage cans were set on fire, cars were tipped over and people threw beer bottles at giant television screens following the Vancouver Canucks' 4-0 loss to the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals.

People chanted obscenities and some leaped over raging bonfires as riot police moved in to try to restore order in the downtown streets strewn with garbage and filled with acrid smoke.

Flames shot about 10 yards into the air off the cars and some bystanders tossed firecrackers. Another fire erupted nearby in an area littered with abandoned Canucks memorabilia and hand-lettered signs. Fans set fire to a stuffed bear, and other people sang a drunken tune as they danced on an overturned vehicle.

A small group of rioters appeared to be at the heart of the action reminiscent of a similar scene that erupted in the city in 1994 following the Canucks' Game 7 loss to the New York Rangers.



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VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Almost 150 people required hospital treatment overnight and close to 100 were arrested after rioters swept through downtown Vancouver following a Canucks loss to the Boston Bruins in the decisive Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals.

Vancouver Coastal Health spokeswoman Anna Marie D'Angelo said Thursday three stabbing victims have been admitted and an unidentified man is in critical condition with head injuries after a fall.

She said most of the rioting victims were treated at St. Paul's Hospital in downtown Vancouver. About 40, including the stabbing cases and the head injury patient, were being treated at Vancouver General Hospital.

Rioting and looting left cars burned, stores in shambles and windows shattered over a roughly 10-block radius of the city's main shopping district.

Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson said "organized hoodlums bent on creating chaos incited the riot" and noted the city proved with the 2010 Winter Olympics that it could hold peaceful gatherings. A local business leader estimated more than 50 businesses have been damaged.

"They were here to make trouble and they succeeded," Robertson said.

Vancouver police chief Jim Chu said Thursday that nine officers were injured, including one who required 14 stitches after being hit with a thrown brick. Chu said some officers suffered bite marks. He said 15 cars were burned, including two police cars.

The Canucks released a statement Thursday afternoon thanking fans for their support, but also addressed Wednesday's postgame chaos.

"The destructive actions and needless violence demonstrated by a minority of people last night in Vancouver is highly disappointing to us all," the team statement read. "We are proud of the city we live and play in and know that the actions of these misguided individuals are not reflective of the citizens of Vancouver or of any true fans of the Canucks or the game of hockey.

"The organization will refrain from any further comment on this matter at this time."

City councilor Suzanne Anton said the rioting has shaken the city and overshadowed the hockey team's playoff run.

"I would never have believed that Vancouver would be a city where there would be looting," Anton said. "I just feel such a profound sense of disappointment. We like to think we live in paradise here in Vancouver. It's hard to imagine here."

It was similar to the scene that erupted in the city in 1994 following the Canucks' Game 7 loss to the New York Rangers.

Anton said there was no loss of life or police brutality in this latest incident. She said dozens of volunteers patrolled the city's entertainment strip Thursday, picking up debris and garbage.

One of the volunteers, Al Cyrenne, carried his broom downtown as he cleaned up the damage.

"I'm all choked up," he said, as he surveyed broken windows and debris. "I can't believe the scene. Just talking about it brings me to tears. I can't believe the people of Vancouver would do this. It's just a few idiots."

Police said it was mostly young thugs responsible for the mayhem overnight, but an equally young crew turned up in jeans and rubber gloves, some with Canucks jerseys, all carrying plastic garbage bags.

Dozens of remorseful and dismayed commuters crowded around the smashed and plywood-covered display windows at the flagship Bay store, a historic building that was the first focus of rampaging looters Wednesday night.

Someone had tacked a rough, hand-painted sign that read: "On behalf of my team and my city, I am sorry." People waited in line to sign it.

Across the street at London Drugs, the windows also were smashed.

Wynn Powell, president and CEO of London Drugs, estimated the damage there at $1 million.

Powell, sounding angry, said the looting wasn't the random consequence of a mob mentality.

"The rioters attacked us for two hours before they got into the store. They were down attacking the stores of Vancouver to try to steal product."

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medicalgary33 wrote:I already had a dislike for the Canucks, after seeing this, my hatred for them rivals the RedWings.

nerman28 wrote:

medicalgary33 wrote:I already had a dislike for the Canucks, after seeing this, my hatred for them rivals the RedWings.

That's a pathetic reason to hate a team. This wasn't any fault of the team or their real fans. Just some random morons looking for an excuse to tear shit up.

If you truly hold this against the team then you sir are a idiot.... with all due respect.