One bad apple doesn't spoil the whole bunch.
So says Michael Jackson, anyway—and if he says it, it must be right.
I'm sure that there are plenty of Montreal Canadiens fans who are good, smart, and responsible people. As a Leafs fan, I've met a few Habs loyalists; some are good friends who like to have a little fun in supporting their team.
But that doesn't excuse the group of morons who have been unfortunately representing the Canadiens over the past few days.
The first incident came late Monday/early Tuesday following the Habs' Game Seven triumph over the Bruins, when celebrating crowds damaged stores and burned cars. Authorities ultimately needed tear gas to restore order.
And that was only the beginning.
The real black mark came last night, after the Flyers' Mike Richards took a late penalty. The jury is still out on what actually happened on the ice. It looked to me like Richards was going to bodycheck Alexei Kovalev before the Russian sniper deked out of the way and caused a knee-on-knee collision. In any event, Richards was assessed a penalty on the play—and was promptly showered with beer by two fans upon reaching the penalty box.
The evidence was there for all to see. Though cameras didn't capture the fans throwing the suds, you could clearly see that Richards' head and jersey were soaked. The glass in front of him was also wet.
Now, there's nothing wrong with voicing your displeasure at the arena. In fact, I encourage it. A loud hockey atmosphere is a great hockey atmosphere.
However, these fans took it too far—and it makes me wonder if the NHL will do more to protect their players.
The league's only real option would be to assess a penalty to the home team in such situations, on the grounds of either unsportsmanlike conduct or delay of game. I for one hope Gary Bettman and Co. have the courage to act.
Surely we haven't regressed to the 70s, when fans would spit, throw coins, and reach over the glass to try and get a piece of the players—but last night proved that the crowd can still be a problem.
A simple offseason rule change could put a stop to it in a hurry.
You're supposed to have fun at hockey games, and most of the fans in the Bell Centre do. It's a shame that an unruly few seem determined to cross the line.
Please believe me when I tell you that this isn't a Toronto fan trying to get under the skin of Habs fans, because it's about much more than that.
I could make the very same case for Game Seven of the Philadelphia-Washington series, when a fan threw a beer at Flyers forward Jeff Carter during an on-ice postgame interview.
In that case, there wasn't much corrective action to be taken, because the game was over, and so as Washington's season. In Montreal, though, a penalty could have changed the course of the game.
Author's Note:
Once again I apologize if I offended anyone. Please don't flip my car, or throw a beer at me (sorry, had to take that jab.)
I realize you can't judge all the Canadiens fans in the world by just a few individuals.
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5 months ago
I couldn't agree more with you! The last two games in Montreal have been an embarrassment to the game, the city and the players. I know that not every Montreal Canadians fan is a twit but it appears that there is an every growing number of goons sitting in the Bell Centre seats.
As for your solution to the beer incident, I don't think it would stop the dumba&# that would do something stupid like throwing beer on a player. What I suggest is simply giving the player an enclosed penalty box. Put a roof/covering over it so liquid and other objects can't be thrown on the player.
Its pathetic and sad that this even has to be considered but unfortunately it seems that this is the times we live in.
Great article!!!
5 months ago
I am a huge Montreal fan, the type that goes to stand off my chair when there is a fight, the type that claps on the glass when there is a hit, the type that sings the ole ole. the most that I did probably would be to boo chara, but that is because he once hardly elbowed kovalev against the board. (tall like he is, he almost ripped off kovalev's head!). but that is it.
may I say, THANK U FOR UR ARTICLE!!!!
I dont get how people actually feel like burning cars to celebrate a first round win. but I have been told that most of them were drunk and highly ... "high", the others were vandals who were taking the opportunity to rob around. Still, first big shame on Montreal. the city looks like an after-war territory!
then, the beer throwing thing. those guys should get kicked out of the building, as simple as that. I understand the game gets very tense, it is the playoffs, everyone is into it, but that kind of behaviour has nothing to do with sports. (plus the beers are expensive at the Bell Center!!)
did richards swear on them? did richards throw his stick on them? did richards spit on anyone? nope, he is just in the penalty box for a hockey call. and i am sure, if the same thing happens to a montreal player in philadelphia, the entire city of Montreal will cry out and cream injustice and everything. some should start by apologizing to the bruins fans who have been assaulted last Monday anyway!
I am a Habs fan, but I dont think I would honour my team by such behaviours.
once again, great article, and thanks.
5 months ago
Exactly Miah, I made sure it was clear I wasn't lumping in all the Habs fans,because there are some real good passionate Habs fans, and that is great for hockey, but these ones clearly take it too far and are ruining it for the rest of them.
5 months ago
I hope the fans got ejected....
5 months ago
Hey all. This is a good article and Derek is right that not all Montreal fans are bad apples. That being said this is inexcusable behavior. I was a season ticket holder to the NY Rangers for five years from 85-90. During that time I witnessed a fair amount of bad behavior. One thing that did take place on a regular basis was the "outing" of the offender. If the fans saw someone do something stupid like throw something on the ice or whatnot the crowd would chant and point in unison "YOU YOU YOU". The security staff would follow the chant and identify the offender by his sheepish look and nearby fans pointing directly at him. They were removed from the building. I loved it.
Montreal fans should show the same resolve and point out offenders even if it something done to the other team. You can not become a champion without beating other good teams and they are to be respected. A two minute penalty would not be a bad idea either as the team would eventually go to the press and appeal to the fans not to do stupid things. Yelling and pounding your feet whatever, but no direct contact with the players should be allowed ever.
5 months ago
It is not without a certain irony that some Philadelphia fans are decrying the beer tossing incident when Tie Domi not only had a beer tossed at him, but then the fat, drunk oaf crashed thru the glass trying to get at him for splashing him with water...
Philly is renowned for SOME of the most offensive and classless fans in the league (this is not commentary on the city or its more reserved fans), to see the team on the receiving end of this behaviour is poetic justice at its sweetest.
It was a very classless move on these fans part, but it has to be viewed like hooliganism in english football, it's very difficult to find who threw what in a crowd of 15,000, all you can do is encourage other fans to create an environment of respect and dignity (aka if i throw this beer, buddy with the shaved head, tattoos and hands the size of catchers mitts might dummy me). The responsibility lies solely with those who paid to get in, if you see someone doing something stupid, let them know they're making the team look bad and noone paid to see them act like idiots.
Failing that, get the dude with the shaved head to do it haha.
from 5 months ago
That is hilarious..I thought of the same Domi incident when that happened to Richard's as well. Flyer fans are by no means 'saints' when it comes to this kind of beer tossing anyway!
5 months ago
Thanks everyone for the comments, as well as the pick of the day votes.
A two minute penalty may not stop them, but like Gorman said, Montreal players, and coaches would then publically ask fans to stop.
Thanks again everyone for the support.
5 months ago
Yes Mark, I totally agree, and I am not sticking up for one team or another, I would have written this article if a Flyer fan had showered Kovalev too.
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