Boston Bruins: Milan Lucic Brings Cup Home to Vancouver, Locals Get Angry

Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic won the 2011 Stanley Cup championship this past June in his hometown of Vancouver, and his on-ice celebration with the famous trophy was met with an awkward reaction from the local supporters.

Lucic's return to Vancouver has not gone smoothly, and many local citizens are still angry over their hometown Canucks' Cup defeat.

According to Megan Stewart at the Vancouver Courier, the mere presence of Lucic at Vancouver's annual Greek Festival in late June was enough to cause some people to brawl.

This tension between Lucic and Canucks fans has caused the local hero to have a more subtle Cup celebration in his hometown.

In the Vancouver Courier via Puck Daddy, Lucic's mom explained the situation.

"'There is a certain amount of tension right now,'" acknowledged Lucic's mom, Snezana. "It's not all of Vancouver, just certain individuals."

Lucic will have a small celebration among family and friends, and although this is frustrating for him, with the way the Canucks fans have acted recently, Lucic has no choice but to keep the Cup away from them.

This sort of anger with local Vancouver citizens is not uncommon.

After the Bruins beat the Canucks in Game 7 of the Cup Finals this spring, the locals rioted in the streets and caused massive damage and danger.

The city of Vancouver has also rioted on previous occasions when one of their sports teams did not do well, and it's embarrassing the way they behave. It makes them look foolish and classless.

Several other Bruins players with Canadian roots have spent their day with the Cup in areas of Canada where hatred for the Bruins is much deeper than in Vancouver, notably near Montreal.

Unfortunately for Milan Lucic, the anger and jealousy of the fans has caused him to have a small celebration with family instead of his peers and neighbors.

Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins featured columnist for Bleacher Report and was the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston. Follow him on Twitter for Bruins & NHL news and analysis. Follow @NicholasGoss35