Hummmm ....

Jaak

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Arson, vandalism spoil Habs win
13 people detained by police

By THE CANADIAN PRESS


MONTREAL — Street celebrations following the Montreal Canadiens seventh-game victory over the Boston Bruins turned violent Monday night after vandals torched and smashed more than a dozen police vehicles and damaged local businesses.

Police spokesman Const. Laurent Gingras said at least 13 people were detained, including three minors — one 14-year-old and two 17-year-olds.

They will face charges including break-and-enter, mischief against a police vehicle, assault against a police officer and numerous municipal bylaw violations, he said.

The riot started after a massive crowd celebrating the Canadiens victory started to disperse just before midnight.

Jean-Francois Hotte said he was taking part in the celebrations when the incident degenerated quickly as police started chasing people.

“One minute we were all hanging out and celebrating and then all hell broke out,” said Hotte, who watched as a Foot Locker store was ransacked by looters. A liquor store was also hit.

“It didn’t take five minutes before everyone was up on Ste-Catherine Street. It went really fast.”

While the initial celebration was relatively peaceful, small groups milled around on several street corners even as riot police surrounded burning vehicles to allow firefighters to douse flames.

Gingras said 16 police cars were damaged and had to be towed.

At least five vehicles were torched and possibly a sixth, Gingras said, adding that an unknown number of businesses were also vandalized.

Television helicopter footage showed one instance where a pair of vandals on a darkened street set ablaze the interior of a damaged, abandoned police car while a third person recorded the act with his cellular telephone. A handful of others stood by watching.

Earlier in the evening, fans held vigil outside the Bell Centre. They were jubilant, erupting into cheers for every good play by their heroes inside.

“A great game, well played, total control,” said Sebastien Boulet. “I’ve got a really good feeling about this team”.

Arjun Aravinthan and hundreds of others broke into a spontaneous “25” chant.

The Canadiens have won 24 Stanley Cups in their history.

“We’re gonna get it this year, this is our year,” said Aravinthan, who claims to be a Habs fan since exiting his mother’s womb.

Police spokeswoman Const. Anie Lemieux said “fortunately no one seems to have been injured”. She said police “had things thrown at them”.

Montrealer Ava Ball was advised by police to keep her car underground as the tension continued to escalate.

“I had to take my car back into the underground because police advised me they’d trash my car,” Ball said.

“I had to go back and wait it out to go home,” she added, as she debated whether it was safe to leave as the situation appeared to calm down around 1:30 a.m.

Police were on edge as they patrolled in helmets and with batons. “It’s not how you’d want the night to end,” Ball said.

“I think we’re all a bit sad about the result of the evening considering we had such a tremendous win.”

Gingras said police has the situation under control. The burnt-out shells of at least five Montreal police cars littered the city’s downtown early Tuesday morning.

“It’s more calm now but we’re still patrolling Ste-Catherine Street,” Gingras said just after 3 a.m.

Montreal recently had a spate of so-called anarchist violence, including the torching of six police cars in a station parking lot in March.

 

Are all you guys who wrote the Habs off eating some humble pie or do they continue to pretend?

And, the Bruins have a lot to be proud of. The Habs just made the adjustment and turned up the wick.

It is all gravy from here on. Win or lose, the Habs have overachieved now, and every second is just a training session for future success.

To all the Leafs die hards, stop puffing out your chests it is just sad. Take a page from the Habs/Pens/Caps/Bruins on how to build a team. Hire good staff, scout, develop, coach, and do not panic when the kids make mistakes. The era of "buying it" is over.

 

Leafs will never win as each game is always sold out!!!

Once there are empty seats will the Leafs win the cup!!! Till then ... they will pratice their golf swing ...

 

+ 20.

(iconically enough...also tucker's last score at eagle's nest )

 

The pre-lockout Rangers proved that beyond a shadow of a doubt!! Even still, the Leaves only half-assed tried to buy a team. Why spend money to market a better product when you consistently sell out with the crappy product?

I must say I was really surprised when the habs seemed to be letting the series get away from them. Granted, I only got to watch a few third periods, but I was getting the impression that maybe Price was just too much of a rookie for the playoffs. I guess I was wrong there! (at least for now) And happy to admit it!

 

The young Habs get intimidated too easily when pressed. Hockey is a game of momentum and confidence. They need to believe.

That said, this is only a dress rehearsal for next season, their 100th anniversary.

It is sad that they are the only Canadian team left in the playoffs.

Without pee'ing on any other team, Go Habs Go!

 

Bring on Philly!
I think the Flyers are a quicker more skilled team the the Bruins, should make for a good series.

go Habs go

 

Woooo Hoooo!!!...

Nuff said!!!...

 

The Habs didn't look too good in the 2nd and most of the 3rd but they managed to salvage it.
Personally I think they were still hungover from beating the Bruins.

 

I think the Habs stole one last night, but I'll take it.

 

2-1 Flyers in the 2nd, man oh man the Habs look sloppy.

 

Kerry Price looks very very average. The books out on him go high or go home. Nice win for the Flyers.

All that booing of DB is getting old

 

Habs suck.....nuff said...hahaha

 

I was wondering when you were going to come back with your banter. .. Plenty of time for Habs to deliver.

 

Hate to agree.... he has not looked dominant yet n this series.

All the Flyers were going high love on him. He go a few, but two goals were honestly stopable. Good pro-scouting.

I agree the boo'ing of DB is getting old. For the life of me, I cannot even think of boo'ing. It is just not a reflex. Cheer when they do something right, yell when them mess up, but boo?