At least someone from Vancouver can score on the road

By Timothy Schafer

June 17th, 2011

At least someone from Vancouver can score on the road — Riot police walk in the street as a couple kiss on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, Canada. Vancouver broke out in riots after their hockey team the Vancouver Canucks lost in Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals — photo by Rich Lam, Getty Images.

It was a national embarrassment, one that overshadowed an on-ice embarrassment, relieving much of the scrutiny the Vancouver Canuck players should have undergone in wake of their Game 7 Stanley Cup Final collapse in Vancouver.

Instead of media outlets wondering why the NHL’s runaway first place club was absolutely ineffectual — and downright mortifying — at home when it all mattered, their attention was drawn instead to the absolute stupidity outside the arena as a handful of people started a riot.

Both on and off the ice, the day stands as an inglorious tribute to the depths Vancouver can sink, rising in contrast to the high over one year ago when they hosted the Winter Olympics, and launched a party (riot free) like no other the world has seen.

Some of that meritorious Vancouver conduct had the guts to stand up for what was right and helped stop rioters, while others showed up the morning after to help with the clean-up.

“Those people deserve our thanks,” said Premier Christy Clark in an open letter to the province. “They are the ones who will define our city and our province. I want to be very clear: this is not who we are. We will not let this band of criminals define us.”

People can help the police and Crown prosecutors by submitting any photos, videos or other evidence they may have.

Vancouver police are asking people to email their photos and videos to robbery@vpd.ca, or post information through Twitter at #VPD.

People also came together to create their own social media sites to share information about events and images of troublemakers captured on mobile phones. The police will monitor these sites closely as part of their efforts to gather evidence.

Here is a collection of some of the coverage of the Vancouver riot:

• Vancouver police ignored 1994 report: author

• CBC.ca’s online hunt for Vancouver’s kissing couple

• Vancouver police arrest nearly 100 in riot

• Facebook groups aim to ID rioters, help clean up

• A riot of crazy scenes

• Did We Ask For It?

• Canucks’ loss: dissection is painful

• A social media riot made for TV

• Skytrain a pressure relief valve during Vancouver riot

• Vancouver unites to cleanup shattered city

• Searching for Good Samaritans involved in stopping riot, cleanup