A massive street party erupted in Vancouver after the hometown team, the Canucks, won a Stanley Cup Finals game over the Boston Bruins. Up to 100,000 fans watched the Canucks’ 1-0 win in downtown Vancouver.
I was lucky enough to join them!
As a native New Yorker, I grew up going to Mets baseball games and hockey was not on my radar. I was impressed by the passion and politeness of these Vancouver Canucks fans. I can’t imagine this many intoxicated people gathering in NYC without starting a riot!
Several streets were closed off to traffic and outfitted with jumbo TV screens. At one point, a TV screen flickered and went black, drawing loud boos and a sense of panic in the audience. Fortunately, the feed was immediately restored.
The entire city was swept up in Canucks fever; even the posh Four Seasons created a tribute to the local team.
Nearly every person watching the Vancouver Canucks game wore a blue and green jersey, and many painted their bodies with the team colors.
The average age of the Canucks fan hovered around 20, and spirits were high!
The teens in the crowd showed the most creativity with their outfits. Booty shorts were a popular look for the girls.
Canucks fans scaled trees, doorways and any high surface to get a batter look at the TV screens.
The crowd was incredibly diverse. Even small children cheered on the hometown team, which is now up 3-2 in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Canadians showed off their creativity with homemade Stanley Cup statues. Several fans trudged the cups through crowded streets.
“Green Man” made multiple appearances at the Canucks street party, and a blue version of the full-body stocking was also spotted.
Even the police were moved by the Canucks victory. A line of officers high-fived fans after the 1-0 win.
I couldn’t have visited Vancouver at a better time! The streets were buzzing with positive vibes. This was the perfect way to cap off my first day in the city, which I visited for the TBEX blogging conference.
I owe a special thanks to Vancouver native Cam of the Traveling Canucks, who told me about the street party when I first arrived in town.
What a great first impression of the city!
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Glad to see you are starting to get the Hockey experience. I remember when the Flames went to the finals in Calgary a bunch of years ago. It was hard not to catch the fever and atmosphere of the party, even as a Montreal Canadiens fan still heartbroken from our lose.
So true… it’s hard not to get caught up in the positive energy of the Canucks fans, even if you aren’t a fan of the local team! I never thought I’d watch an entire hockey game while standing on the street, but it was fun 🙂
Great job on your post you have captured the joy of us vancouverites including the our Vancouver Police Department.
The pictures are worth a thousand words and it’s always interesting to see how visitors enjoy our city….. we love living here too.
Kind regards.
Thanks for your comment. I was impressed by the police– they were clearly savoring the win and weren’t all uptight about the massive crowd.
Awesome photos … I wish I could be there. GO CANUCKS GO
Cool!! You were there at the right place and the right time!!
Seriously! I started following the fans and they led me to the perfect game watching spot.
Looks like a cool scene there! ThoI don’t see any burning cars like when the Phillies won, too bad…
Too bad u won’t be there for game 6 if they clinch it people will go nuts.
Super festive photos! Didn’t know you were in Vancouver. Pretty far from NY!
I’m at the travel blogger conference in Vancouver this weekend. Search for #TBEX on Twitter for details!
Woow that is something!! This reminds me of Worldcup fever in Korea and Baseball game everyday at Jamsil Stadium!! 🙂 Yes we do own a couple of red shirts says ‘Red Devil’ for rooting Korean team!
Great catch Leslie! And hope you are having a great time at TBEX other than Sports fans! 🙂
Juno, have you painted your face for a baseball game? I never have, but it looks like fun.
I hope they win the cup. They have more passion and it would mean more to their fans than to Boston. Let the Red Sox win in baseball though.
Agreed- the Canucks fans deserve a Stanley Cup victory for all their support! For baseball, I don’t mind if the Red Sox win since that means the Yankees lose. The Mets never stand a chance 😉
the fans! they know best! LOL. Wow, now I’m a bit scared to watch a match in NYC.. are they really so rowdy?! 😛
Hehe. No, I’m exaggerating about NYC fans; Canada has a reputation as a more “polite” country than the US. I do think when New Yorkers are gathered, there tends to be more elbowing and attitude. We’re known for being a bit rude!
Great pics, Leslie! My didn’t turn out so well. Fun meeting you and being in Vancouver on such an exciting night.
Great meeting you too!
Hockey – I still don’t get it but more power to them! I bet the energy was fantastic!
Same here– I’m not normally a hockey fan, but it was impossible to resist the positive energy in Vancouver!
Great photos. Were you there for TBEX?
Yep! Was in town for TBEX. Stay tuned for a recap.
I’m the painted guy on the left! The atmosphere is unlike anywhere else in the world. The entire city lives and breathes the Canucks! Great photos, hope you enjoyed your visit! GO CANUCKS GO!
Awesome paint job! Thanks for making my stay in Vancouver so memorable 🙂
The celebration was awesome! Really changed my mind about how I think of sports. I never expected the fans in Vancouver to be so passionate!