Jets fans ‘well behaved’ at downtown party

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/04/2018 (2786 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In Manitoba, even the hockey celebrations are friendly.

With roughly 36,000 fans downtown Friday evening as the Winnipeg Jets routed the Minnesota Wild 5-0 in a series-clinching win, it was possible the celebration could have gotten out of hand.

It was the first playoff series victory since the NHL returned to Winnipeg in 2011. The last time the city’s NHL franchise advanced to the second round of the playoffs, the year was 1987.

Given that history, the palpable energy pulsing through the crowd, the high-running emotions and the celebratory drinks flowing, the night could have gone differently — maybe even turned ugly.

That Canadians take their hockey seriously isn’t news to anyone, and is evidenced by a history of hockey riots stretching back more than 60 years. That wasn’t the story in Winnipeg Friday night.

City police say only 12 people out of the 36,000 strong crowd — a proverbial drop in the bucket — were arrested for public intoxication. There were no major incidents or arrests and no reports of property damage, police said.

“I think Winnipeg has a lot to be proud of. There were a substantial number of people downtown last night in such a tight area. Everyone was well behaved. I really think that speaks to how proud the city can be of themselves,” WPS Const. Jay Murray said.

“Another thing I want to stress is it wasn’t only the police. It was everyone at the event, everyone who was there, who contributed to it being a safe night.”

Even when fans made an impromptu foray out onto the intersection of Portage Avenue and Main Street, police — who were prepared for the possibility — mobilized quickly to shut down traffic for 45 minutes.

 

 

Fans cheered and rejoiced in the streets, then sauntered off into the night to carry on the celebration somewhere else.

“We definitely expected that Portage and Main may bring some attention. Once individuals started to head over there, we moved to block traffic. We had been working to ensure if Portage and Main was to be shut down we could do it efficiently,” Murray said.

Other Canadian cities haven’t always been so lucky when it comes to fan reaction to big wins, or losses, in the NHL playoffs. From the reckless and rowdy, to full blown riots, Canada has seen it all.

In 1955, After Maurice “Rocket” Richard was handed a stiff suspension for snapping his stick over an opposing player and hitting an official, fans rioted in the streets of Montreal, reportedly causing $100,000 worth of property damage.

Then in 1986, thousands of Habs fans ran amok after their club won the Stanley Cup, then did it again after their 1993 victory. In the latter incident, rioters caused roughly $2.5 million in property damage.

In 1994, Vancouver saw the first of their two infamous hockey riots. After the Canucks fell in the Stanley Cup finals, disappointed fans flooded the streets, destroying property. RCMP were dispatched and hundreds were arrested in the clashes.

Edmonton saw a miniature riot in 2006, when the Oilers secured their place in the Stanley Cup Finals. A small number of fans reportedly set fires and looted on Whyte Avenue, leading to 15 arrests.

Once again in Montreal, following a first-round victory in 2008, vehicles were set on fire and property destroyed in celebration. Two years later, when the Canadians advanced to the third round of the playoffs, rioters took to the streets and clashed with police, leading to dozens of arrests.

In 2011, Vancouver saw its second hockey riot, once again in reaction to a loss in the Stanley Cup Finals. It led to millions of dollars in property damage, as vehicles and garbage bins were set on fire and windows smashed.

In addition, a handful of people were stabbed and numerous cops injured. Eventually, roughly 300 people would be charged in connection with the riot.

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca

@rk_thorpe