The morning after the night before, Vancouver wakes up hanging it's head in shame over a bowl of self-reflection, racked with guilt, the shame of a nation, etc etc etc. Last night Vancouver witnessed a Stanley Cup related riot for the second time in 17 years, or twice in two final appearances. Having led the seven game series at 2-0, hopes were high that for the very first time, this hockey mad town would get its paws on the cherished cup, not so. After dismal performances in Boston where they were beaten 8-1 and 5-2 they ended up with a winner takes all game here in British Columbia. Moments after the final horn this was the scene over Vancouver.
The youth of Vancouver had decided now was their time. For the next five hours, the laughable police presence tried to deal with teenagers themselves unused to riots as they took photos of their exploits, setting fire to cars and breaking windows, these photos are now being uploaded by the hungover heroes. See them here.
Late night Vancouver was a place that smelt of smoke and seemed like it was only under the control of the plethora of tv news choppers in the sky. Saying all this, it was only affecting one or two areas of the city, say your grafton st/wicklow street and dawson st/nassau st areas comparatively. The main issue here is that Canadians as a nation are nice to a fault sometimes, and when it comes to seeing the lawlessness of their angry young men, it seems hell is freezing over, they are just not used to it. Even the spotty rioters with their smiling faces and looting of make-up stores hadn't got it down, they were looting like amateurs and knocking over portaloos for the most part. Canada will have a deep and meaningful few weeks, and maybe they will surmise that yes, drunken youths, disappointed after defeat + an invisible police force + a massive street party can never lead to just rainbows and high fives.
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