A Message to Canucks Fans Everywhere
Last night at the Ducks game there was a fight. Now was this any ordinary fight on the street between a Canucks fan and a Ducks fan I wouldn’t care. This was in GM Place and a few realizations have me irked at the whole situation.
Yesterday on my twitter “#Canucks” feed I noticed this tweet from a Melissa Rondpre saying “going to my first hockey game tonight! woo go canucks <3" Now I don't know Melissa, but this morning when monitoring what came up in the Canucks feed I found this video of the fight between the Canucks fan and the Ducks fan:
Now after watching this video several times I noticed that the user who’d uploaded it was MRondpre, none other than Melissa herself. I don’t know Melissa as I mentioned earlier, but there’s something that bothers me about the message that a fan like her gets when they go to a game and this is one of the first real “fan experiences” they have.
Shortly after the fight she tweeted, “just witnessed a fist fight between a canucks fan and a ducks fan. awesome. :]”
Now I enjoy something like this at the hedonistic level, to a degree, and mostly because it’s not happening to me. I wouldn’t want to be that Ducks fan, or the Canucks fan for that matter. I don’t approve of nor do I condone what the Canucks fan did the the Ducks fan. What message are we sending to fans? The Canucks have sold out 298 straight games, but that doesn’t mean it’s the same fans coming every night. The number of new fans at every game is probably fairly high and the message this sends to new fans of the game, of this team is a terrible one.
The fans cheer the Canucks fan after he absolutely decimates the Duck fan, and the walks out of the section a hero. Canucks fans for the most part are a classy group. I’m not taking this moment to bash the fans of other teams. Melissa (according to her YouTube profile) is 19. It might not have phased her or had the same impact on her as it may have had on a younger kid. What message does this give to kids? What happens to the kid who’s in elementary school, he/she takes this back and thinks it’s okay to pick fights with other kids that are fans of other teams?
I’ve seen many a hockey game in a section with fans that are from out of town and in some cases don’t even speak English very well. They hear what an amazing game it is to watch, and in some cases are tourists that hear they have to take in a Canucks game and come for the experience. In one case there was a list made of the top 100 tourist things to do and on that list was taking in a Canucks game. What does this tell out of town visitors about Vancouverites? Do we disregard our good behaviour because the Olympics are over and we don’t have the world on our doorstep?
Think about it fans. We want to set a good example for not only younger generations of fans but new fans of our game, and of the team we love. Lets not make asses of ourselves.
I’m sorry, I’ll only punch Flamers on the street from now on 🙂
I’m sorry, I’ll only punch Flamers on the street from now on 🙂
This Canucks fan should be banned for life. Period. He’s no hero, he’s not cool. He’s an immature drunk fool. Forward the video to the Canucks, and if he’s a season ticket holder, revoke his tickets.
What’s even more disgusting is that everyone around them just stood and watched the Duck’s fan get beat on.
Pathetic.
This Canucks fan should be banned for life. Period. He’s no hero, he’s not cool. He’s an immature drunk fool. Forward the video to the Canucks, and if he’s a season ticket holder, revoke his tickets.
What’s even more disgusting is that everyone around them just stood and watched the Duck’s fan get beat on.
Pathetic.
I have no love for the Habs, but,
‘Canucks fans for the most part are a classy group. I’m not taking this moment to bash the fans of other teams, but we’re not the kinds of fans that burn cop cars after winning our first round of the playoffs’
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_Stanley_Cup_riot
No point taking cheap shots as it diminishes from your point, IMO.
There’ll always be idiots who do stupid things at public events, be it concerts or sporting events. Best you can do is not encourage them as it only leads to disruptive/dangerous behavior.
I have no love for the Habs, but,
‘Canucks fans for the most part are a classy group. I’m not taking this moment to bash the fans of other teams, but we’re not the kinds of fans that burn cop cars after winning our first round of the playoffs’
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_Stanley_Cup_riot
No point taking cheap shots as it diminishes from your point, IMO.
There’ll always be idiots who do stupid things at public events, be it concerts or sporting events. Best you can do is not encourage them as it only leads to disruptive/dangerous behavior.
I dont’ care which team you are a fan of, that was disgusting.
More disgusting? Videotaping and posting it. Even moreso? Clapping and encouraging it.
I won’t even respond to MALANDRO’s ignorant comment either. Seems they missed the point of your post, Mozy.
I dont’ care which team you are a fan of, that was disgusting.
More disgusting? Videotaping and posting it. Even moreso? Clapping and encouraging it.
I won’t even respond to MALANDRO’s ignorant comment either. Seems they missed the point of your post, Mozy.
I’m gutted to see this video. There is no place in hockey for fans to behave like this.
This event will have put some people off who witnessed it from ever going to a game again, and it might make people who catch the video online from going to a nucks game.
Shame on all those who cheered the fight or fighters.
I’m gutted to see this video. There is no place in hockey for fans to behave like this.
This event will have put some people off who witnessed it from ever going to a game again, and it might make people who catch the video online from going to a nucks game.
Shame on all those who cheered the fight or fighters.
Coming for an arena workers stand point. I am NOT a fan of this at all. I almost had something similar to this happen in my section at a CCHA hockey game. They were adults and getting into it with each other in front of children. It sets a horrible example.
I have also been witness to this outside of the United Center a few years back when the Red Wings played the Blackhawks.
People need to realize it is just a game. Cheer for your team but don’t take it that seriously. Fighting in the parking lot or in the stands will not change the outcome and you never know who has a video camera these days.
Coming for an arena workers stand point. I am NOT a fan of this at all. I almost had something similar to this happen in my section at a CCHA hockey game. They were adults and getting into it with each other in front of children. It sets a horrible example.
I have also been witness to this outside of the United Center a few years back when the Red Wings played the Blackhawks.
People need to realize it is just a game. Cheer for your team but don’t take it that seriously. Fighting in the parking lot or in the stands will not change the outcome and you never know who has a video camera these days.
That is by far the biggest case of douche-baggery I’ve seen today and he should be banned for life. We don’t get to see what precipitated the “fight” but I will bet there was back and forth between the two before it got to the point of fists being thrown.
Regardless of that it sure does not help the Canucks fans are idiots debate we see raging on other teams’ sites. I’m embarrassed.
That is by far the biggest case of douche-baggery I’ve seen today and he should be banned for life. We don’t get to see what precipitated the “fight” but I will bet there was back and forth between the two before it got to the point of fists being thrown.
Regardless of that it sure does not help the Canucks fans are idiots debate we see raging on other teams’ sites. I’m embarrassed.
Wow, I’ve never seen anything like that happen at GM Place. There are so many things that bother me about that fight, mostly how it was handled.
1. You see the GM Place staff member walk away while the Canucks so-called fan has his hand on the Ducks guy’s jersey ready to fight!
2. The scrap goes on for quite some time (count the # of punches!) before security (not police?) intervene. Try that at a BC Lions game and you out of there faster than you can say touchdown!
3. Canuck “fan” plays to the crowd saying “What did I do???” with the beer still in his hand and is rather politely escorted out as if he’s won the chance to guess which Tim’s cup the donut is under.
4. Canuck “fan” should have his Sedin jersey revoked for being such an ass.
Wow, I’ve never seen anything like that happen at GM Place. There are so many things that bother me about that fight, mostly how it was handled.
1. You see the GM Place staff member walk away while the Canucks so-called fan has his hand on the Ducks guy’s jersey ready to fight!
2. The scrap goes on for quite some time (count the # of punches!) before security (not police?) intervene. Try that at a BC Lions game and you out of there faster than you can say touchdown!
3. Canuck “fan” plays to the crowd saying “What did I do???” with the beer still in his hand and is rather politely escorted out as if he’s won the chance to guess which Tim’s cup the donut is under.
4. Canuck “fan” should have his Sedin jersey revoked for being such an ass.
Thouroghly disgusted by them both and anyone whom cheered it on. Thats not true Canucks fand or hockey fans for that matter.
There is no place for this in hockey. Im all for team rivalry but please keep it on the ice. I hope the police look at this video and do something about it. I know thats what would certainly happen in the UK.
Ive been to many rinks here and in Europe. 99.9% of the time fans chant for their team, sometimes it gets heated but we all end up in the bar afterwards for a drink or 2 and a good laugh and chat. Ive made many friends that way
To see this just turns my stomach. We Canucks fans dont have , nor do we want this kind of reputation. I hope its dealt with speedily and severely. Let the true fans support our team.
The 2 stewards in the background stand for a number of seconds before getting involved, thats wrong. Makes me think there maybe something staged or pre-planned after Mozy saying about that tweet.
Still its not what our team or hockey is about.
Thouroghly disgusted by them both and anyone whom cheered it on. Thats not true Canucks fand or hockey fans for that matter.
There is no place for this in hockey. Im all for team rivalry but please keep it on the ice. I hope the police look at this video and do something about it. I know thats what would certainly happen in the UK.
Ive been to many rinks here and in Europe. 99.9% of the time fans chant for their team, sometimes it gets heated but we all end up in the bar afterwards for a drink or 2 and a good laugh and chat. Ive made many friends that way
To see this just turns my stomach. We Canucks fans dont have , nor do we want this kind of reputation. I hope its dealt with speedily and severely. Let the true fans support our team.
The 2 stewards in the background stand for a number of seconds before getting involved, thats wrong. Makes me think there maybe something staged or pre-planned after Mozy saying about that tweet.
Still its not what our team or hockey is about.
A lot of sports fans are like this… I’m sure Canucks fans get heckled when they visit other arenas as well.
A lot of sports fans are like this… I’m sure Canucks fans get heckled when they visit other arenas as well.
@Jenn If that’s what you call heckling remind me not to invite you to open mic night when I try stand-up.
Lorna brings up some great points. (I assume that’s Logna Jackson?)
@Jenn If that’s what you call heckling remind me not to invite you to open mic night when I try stand-up.
Lorna brings up some great points. (I assume that’s Logna Jackson?)
er, Lorna.
Thanks Liz. Yes, that was me.
er, Lorna.
Thanks Liz. Yes, that was me.
I agree with some of the comments and your viewpoint, Richard. The only thing is, she seemed to have a good time. And yes, it is an experience.
No one is going to have the same one. Plus, you should be surprised that something like this doesn’t happen more often! Especially lets say, at a Nucks/Flames game.
When you put 20,000 people in an arena with alcohol watching a violent game, adrenaline pumping and curses flying, something like this is bound to happen, no?
I agree with some of the comments and your viewpoint, Richard. The only thing is, she seemed to have a good time. And yes, it is an experience.
No one is going to have the same one. Plus, you should be surprised that something like this doesn’t happen more often! Especially lets say, at a Nucks/Flames game.
When you put 20,000 people in an arena with alcohol watching a violent game, adrenaline pumping and curses flying, something like this is bound to happen, no?
what we saw in the video is an unfortunate reflection of what happens on the ice. In a culture where the dominant story is redemptive violence, it’s no surprise that this happens. It’s sad that security was so lethargic in their response and that the idiot canucks fan waled away a perceived hero.
perhaps if fighting was not part of the game….?
what we saw in the video is an unfortunate reflection of what happens on the ice. In a culture where the dominant story is redemptive violence, it’s no surprise that this happens. It’s sad that security was so lethargic in their response and that the idiot canucks fan waled away a perceived hero.
perhaps if fighting was not part of the game….?
There are so many things wrong about that video, number one being that it’s being taped and number two, no one is doing anything to stop a minority from being clocked in the head numerous times by a drunken idiot (from above). What a loser.
As a Canucks fan I’m seriously embarrassed by this and by every single person sitting in that section cheering and laughing. That shit wouldn’t fly in lower bowl.
So classless.
There are so many things wrong about that video, number one being that it’s being taped and number two, no one is doing anything to stop a minority from being clocked in the head numerous times by a drunken idiot (from above). What a loser.
As a Canucks fan I’m seriously embarrassed by this and by every single person sitting in that section cheering and laughing. That shit wouldn’t fly in lower bowl.
So classless.
This display of disgusting, drunken behavior is appalling. We don’t know what happened to start this altercation but the fact that it went on for the length of this video is truly horrific.
How come no one stop this and why was security allowing it to happen for as long as they did?
Why do people make immature comments like “awesome fight”, and cheer on for this type of behavior? That is completely uncalled for; grow up people and stop acting like idiots.
How would you feel if you were a lone Canucks fan getting beat up at a game outside of GM Place an no one helped you?
This is really very sad that people do not know how to behave in public and respect other fans in situations like this.
It’s D-bags like that assclown that cause the sales of beer to be closed off in the third period of Canucks games and 4th quarter of Lions games.
Ban him!
And shame on all of the twits that encouraged their behavior.
This display of disgusting, drunken behavior is appalling. We don’t know what happened to start this altercation but the fact that it went on for the length of this video is truly horrific.
How come no one stop this and why was security allowing it to happen for as long as they did?
Why do people make immature comments like “awesome fight”, and cheer on for this type of behavior? That is completely uncalled for; grow up people and stop acting like idiots.
How would you feel if you were a lone Canucks fan getting beat up at a game outside of GM Place an no one helped you?
This is really very sad that people do not know how to behave in public and respect other fans in situations like this.
It’s D-bags like that assclown that cause the sales of beer to be closed off in the third period of Canucks games and 4th quarter of Lions games.
Ban him!
And shame on all of the twits that encouraged their behavior.
you say “Now I enjoy something like this at the hedonistic level, to a degree, and mostly because it’s not happening to me”
but then you condemn everything about this incident. I guess as long as its not happening to you its fun but because its a canucks function is something deplorable. Im confused at your statement about this stupid incident?
you say “Now I enjoy something like this at the hedonistic level, to a degree, and mostly because it’s not happening to me”
but then you condemn everything about this incident. I guess as long as its not happening to you its fun but because its a canucks function is something deplorable. Im confused at your statement about this stupid incident?
@AMIR
“When you put 20,000 people in an arena with alcohol watching a violent game, adrenaline pumping and curses flying, something like this is bound to happen, no?”
Uh, no. Somehow it managed not to happen numerous times during Olympic hockey – competing for actual medals on a world platform with serious numbers of competition jerseys both inside and outside GM Place so there goes that theory. People paying that kind of money for tickets have something these people don’t have: class. Period.
This entire thing is a huge humanity, class and GM Place security fail.
@AMIR
“When you put 20,000 people in an arena with alcohol watching a violent game, adrenaline pumping and curses flying, something like this is bound to happen, no?”
Uh, no. Somehow it managed not to happen numerous times during Olympic hockey – competing for actual medals on a world platform with serious numbers of competition jerseys both inside and outside GM Place so there goes that theory. People paying that kind of money for tickets have something these people don’t have: class. Period.
This entire thing is a huge humanity, class and GM Place security fail.
The police should be investigating this guy. What a complete asshat!
I don’t care what transpired previous to this vid’s events. The fact is, a drunken douchebag physically assaulted the fan sitting in an indefensible position one row below him. He, at one point, bashes the Duck fan’s head against a metal railing. He then bows and acts like a heavyweight fighter leaving the ring.
He shouldn’t be escorted from the rink – he should be arrested.
The police should be investigating this guy. What a complete asshat!
I don’t care what transpired previous to this vid’s events. The fact is, a drunken douchebag physically assaulted the fan sitting in an indefensible position one row below him. He, at one point, bashes the Duck fan’s head against a metal railing. He then bows and acts like a heavyweight fighter leaving the ring.
He shouldn’t be escorted from the rink – he should be arrested.
It is what it is. Both participants allowed it to get to that level. Who cares who won. Melissa thought it was awesome. Hockey fans are what they are and some of them are like that.
“Let It Be.” – The Beatles
It is what it is. Both participants allowed it to get to that level. Who cares who won. Melissa thought it was awesome. Hockey fans are what they are and some of them are like that.
“Let It Be.” – The Beatles
I have to disagree with the comment that Canucks fans have ever been classy. I’ve lived here 4 years and been to every single Oilers game at GM place (from edmonton obviously) and I wear my jersey proudly, 30th place or battling for a playoff spot, and every single time whether I am in lower bowl or the 300’s I get one heck of a hard time (keep in mind ive seen oilers games in chicago and calgary) and NEVER had an experience like I do in Vancouver. Fans are not only ignorant, but rude and plain out disgusting, I’ve been pushed while waiting for a drink, yelled at directly in my face and have to sit all game listening to “OILERS SUCK” chants, regardless if they are winning or not
Canucks fans across BC need to give their heads a shake because it’s an issue that is known around the league, ask any message board that deals with hockey. Canucks fans are HUGE jokes
I expect some hassle wearing an out of town jersey to the garage, but nothing like I experience, its embarrassing.
You either need to learn some respect or stop letting people from Surrey come to the games
I have to disagree with the comment that Canucks fans have ever been classy. I’ve lived here 4 years and been to every single Oilers game at GM place (from edmonton obviously) and I wear my jersey proudly, 30th place or battling for a playoff spot, and every single time whether I am in lower bowl or the 300’s I get one heck of a hard time (keep in mind ive seen oilers games in chicago and calgary) and NEVER had an experience like I do in Vancouver. Fans are not only ignorant, but rude and plain out disgusting, I’ve been pushed while waiting for a drink, yelled at directly in my face and have to sit all game listening to “OILERS SUCK” chants, regardless if they are winning or not
Canucks fans across BC need to give their heads a shake because it’s an issue that is known around the league, ask any message board that deals with hockey. Canucks fans are HUGE jokes
I expect some hassle wearing an out of town jersey to the garage, but nothing like I experience, its embarrassing.
You either need to learn some respect or stop letting people from Surrey come to the games
He thinks he’s important and macho… He literally has the upper ground the entire time. I’d like to see how he does on a level playing field. I have a feeling he’d get his ass handed to him on a platter. Someone who could stand their own in a fair fight wouldn’t need to beat on a guy in a lower seat.
He thinks he’s important and macho… He literally has the upper ground the entire time. I’d like to see how he does on a level playing field. I have a feeling he’d get his ass handed to him on a platter. Someone who could stand their own in a fair fight wouldn’t need to beat on a guy in a lower seat.