Is tonight the night?
Posted Jun 13, 2011 06:55:31 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The Canucks could clinch the Stanley Cup with a Monday night Game 6 win in Boston, and fans all over the country – but especially in Vancouver – are making their plans for where they could potentially watch the history-making game.
Sports Director of our Vancouver based sister-station News1130, Ann Schmaltz is in Boston with the team and says Bruins fans seem worried. “They’re kind of concerned in the sense their team needs to win two more if the Bruins want to have a chance to hoist the Cup, so they’re a little bit concerned.”
But she adds they still have hope. “Bruins fans that I spoke to are confident that Boston will win Monday night and force a Game 7 but then they’ve all suggested that their team struggles in Vancouver so they’re doubtful they’ll be bringing home the Cup.”
She says the Canucks want to wrap this series up and win the Cup on Monday.
Eric Lamsa is from Victoria but lives in Boston. He says the series is drawing attention from everyone in Boston, including those that don’t even like sports.
He tells News1130 the series is the lead story everywhere. “The media made a big deal about the recent comments made by both Luongo and Rome. They’re casting Luongo as a brat, and Rome as an emotionless villain. There’s a genuine hatred towards the Canucks amongst Bruins fans here.”
Even though the team is in Boston, Canucks fans will once again be packing the streets of Vancouver to see the game.
With over 100,000 people hitting the streets for Game 5, police say they’re ready for this key game.
Georgia Street will close at noon between Cambie and Richards for outdoor fan viewing, with Hamilton and Homer shut as well.
Other lucky fans will be watching the game on the big screen at Rogers Arena.
Police are hoping people leave the open alcohol at home, with almost 3,000 pour outs and over 120 violation tickets handed out on Friday.
Despite Canucks fans saying they were treated poorly during the last games in Boston, many are making the trip back in hopes of seeing the Canucks hoist the Cup.
The Green Men, Sully and Force, are also packing their spandex suits and making the trip.
Sully says the mood in the arena is on his mind. “It’s not going to be too bad, but I am a little worried. I heard from a friend that moved from Vancouver to Boston that they rioted when the Celtics won, they rioted when the Red Sox won. And that’s when the team wins they riot! I mean, I don’t want to know what’s going to happen when the team loses. I hope I’m not stuck in the middle of it!”
Schmaltz says she’s seen lots of Vancouver fans wearing their jerseys around town with pride.
While he is a Canucks fan, Ian Tostenson with the BC Restaurant Association is hoping the Canucks lose in Game 6, and it all comes down to money. “It would be great to go to Game 7 in Vancouver Wednesday night because the revenues and the business side of this is so immense that one more game on Wednesday night from a business point of view would be great.
Tostenson says this playoff run is even bigger than the Olympics for restaurants and bars.
