On the ground in Vancouver: Days 4 & 5
by nucksandpucks on Jun 12, 2011 12:24 AM PDT
in NHL Playoffs
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A diehard Canucks fan living in Toronto since 2001, I have long vowed to return to Vancouver for a visit should the Canucks make the Stanley Cup Final - even if it meant quitting my job! Fortunately it didn't come to that, and I will be in Vancouver from June 6 until some time after the series ends. Unfortunately I do not have a spare $1000 or so to see a game live. But I will enjoy the atmosphere in the city, and will be sharing daily or almost-daily updates of the sights and sounds that I experience in Vancouver, as a city waits on pins and needles for a 41 year dream to come to fruition. This feature is aimed mostly at those fans that don't live in the city, but want to experience a slice of Canucks-crazy life in Vancouver. Hope you enjoy!
June 9-10 - Days 4 & 5 of my Vancouver trip
Well yesterday was definitely the best day of my trip. Something to do with the local ice hockey team, I believe. People seem quite excited about this group of sportsmen for some reason. Coming up, many more pictures and some video from the post-Game 5 celebrations in downtown Vancouver.
Screw Peter Puck, this was way cooler! Yeah, I met Steve Nash. And it was pretty freakin' cool. I didn't even notice him at first, and I just noticed a group of people in Canucks gear coming up the street. I actually high-fived his kid and a few other people in his group, and then half a block later my sister said "that was Steve Nash!" I ran back and he kindly took a quick picture with me (I felt badly bugging him when he was out with family... but I did so anyway). Best of all, he was keeping it in the family and rocking the Manny Malhotra shirt!
Much, much more after the jump!
We've got the poutine, but where are the meatballs?
I watched Game 5 at the Railway Club on Dunsmuir. We got there at 230pm to get a good table, so it was a long, anxious wait for faceoff! It was a good crowd in the bar, with lots of energy and cheering. Here is how it sounded during the national anthem:
And here is the bar after Lappierre scored the eventual game winner:
Victory dance after the Canucks victory!
After the game we made our way up Granville Street toward Robson. This is the view at Georgia Street (just west from where the outdoor viewing party was held). Here is the scene at Granville and Robson:
Below are some scenes from around downtown after the victory. Can't imagine the guy in the Bruins jersey was too popular! And boy do the outdoor viewers leave a mess!
The images below are of CBC guys broadcasting outside Rogers Arena. DO NOT MAKE MARC CRAWFORD ANGRY!!!
And I leave you with some more images of ecstatic, hopeful Canucks fans reveling on the streets of Vancouver. From my observation, partying was generally safe and the police did a good job of establishing a presence in the crowd (rather than just outside it) and letting people enjoy themselves within reasonable boundaries. Let's hope I have some more images like this for you after Monday!
15/16. One more win boys, let's do it! GO CANUCKS GO!!!
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Glad you got to enjoy the city during the playoffs. Does it get crazy like this in Victoria?
"Sometimes grown-ups have low self-esteem and get on guys and say stupid stuff. I think he has to be happy with his career. He did a great job on Long Island. I’m sure he is happy with that" - Captain Henrik Sedin, on Mike Milbury and his comments
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by Chuckles Canuckles on Jun 12, 2011 12:30 AM PDT reply actions
I have no idea
Because I live in Toronto!
But it has been unreal being back here. Best “throw it on the credit card and figure out how to pay it off later” purchase ever! Gonna have to pick up a lot of extra shifts when I get back home…
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by nucksandpucks on Jun 12, 2011 12:39 AM PDT up reply actions
Oh shit
WAACH lives in Victoria. My mistake. Hope you get the trip paid off, my bank account is still suffering from the NM Playoffs meetup, I can only imagine what amount of coin you’ve spent in the last few days.
"Sometimes grown-ups have low self-esteem and get on guys and say stupid stuff. I think he has to be happy with his career. He did a great job on Long Island. I’m sure he is happy with that" - Captain Henrik Sedin, on Mike Milbury and his comments
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by Chuckles Canuckles on Jun 12, 2011 12:43 AM PDT up reply actions
No worries, it can get confusing seeing as none of the writers (except maybe vancitydan) actually live in Vancouver! And yeah… it has been an expensive playoff run to say the least, but definitely worth it!
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by nucksandpucks on Jun 12, 2011 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions
no, Victoria wasn’t this bad on Friday night.
most of the people were in the bars and restaurants, and came out onto Government St. after the game.
Nucks Misconduct writer, queen of inter-blogging etiquette.
I also ramble on Twitter every so often. (now with a new handle!)
"Whether it’s with his mouth or with his stick, Alex Burrows is going to end up pissing you off."
"He did a great job on Long Island. I’m sure he is happy with that." Henrik Sedin on Mike Milbury.
Great stuff. I think that was the NHLN guys with Crawford….looks like you are having a great time!
Nuck’s Misconduct Bishop, 1st United Church of Luongod. LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU.........
Very cool. Hopefully one day I can experience this – in downtown San Jose. :)
GO SHARKS!
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin (see profile for more info on this quote)
Not gonna happen.
Even though the cup is a possibility for the Sharks do you really believe there are 100,000 rabid fans waiting to fill the streets? Don’t get me wrong, the Sharks fans are excellent (SJ has been my home for the past 17 years so I’ve got first hand knowledge), but it’s not nearly the same level of passions as the Canucks Nation fan base.
One time. Right now.
If you add all the bandwagon fans – why the hell not. :)
GO SHARKS!
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin (see profile for more info on this quote)
yes i do really believe that
"You can't stop him, you can only hope to contain Kent Huskins!" - Randy Hahn 2/13/11
by pooponastick on Jun 12, 2011 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions
All I can say about this post is: WOW and thank you very much for documenting and sharing it!
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We chew and spit you out. We laugh, you scream and shout. All flee, with fear you run. You’ll know where we come from:
Damage incorporated.........GO!
Happy to do it. And like I said, I hope (knock on wood) I will have much more excitement to share after tomorrow! Gonna be watching at the Commodore downtown on Granville, so will be right in the heart of the post-game activities.
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by nucksandpucks on Jun 12, 2011 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions
If you can get a video of yourself running through the streets of Wellington, hi-fiving very confused Kiwis while yelling “the Canucks just won the Stanley Cup! Woooooo!” well… you’d win the internet, I’m pretty sure.
Agreed
That would be epic!
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by nucksandpucks on Jun 12, 2011 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions
i’ll have my camera with me at work for when it happens.
the souvenir shops i work at are along the same street as two of the most popular pubs here in Victoria.
Nucks Misconduct writer, queen of inter-blogging etiquette.
I also ramble on Twitter every so often. (now with a new handle!)
"Whether it’s with his mouth or with his stick, Alex Burrows is going to end up pissing you off."
"He did a great job on Long Island. I’m sure he is happy with that." Henrik Sedin on Mike Milbury.
Does that mean...
You have to work during the game tomorrow? Aw man, if that’s the case that sucks Missy!
If you want to make up some crazy excuse to get out of work I will totally back you up on it – like I need a blood transfusion and you have to rush to Vancouver because you’re the only other person in BC who has the same blood type. Or that I run an organization giving out some award that you have been nominated for, and we need you to be present at the award ceremony. Pretty sure you’ve got back up here at NM if you want to try to skip your shift!
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by nucksandpucks on Jun 12, 2011 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Awesome awesome stuff
what a huge mass of people. geez.
You can go through life adrift and alone
desperate, desolate, on your own
but we're lookin' for a few more stalwart clones
so come and join us
100,000 downtown according to CTV. Wonder what Monday will be like…
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by nucksandpucks on Jun 12, 2011 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions
Insane. Game 4 was just the same, and I would expect nothing less from here on. It’s going to be amazing
Frequent visitor to Nucks Misconduct.
by Vancouverguy on Jun 12, 2011 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Yikes
Perhaps I’m in the minority here, but… there’s no way in hell you’d ever catch me in a crowd of 100,000!
Don’t get me wrong, it’s awesome they’re all out there having a good time, but for me personally not a chance. I don’t like crowds as it is, and to be packed cheek by jowl like that? No way!
On another note, is it just me or are these outdoor viewing areas for fans to congregate in less a matter of the city supporting the fans / team and more a matter of convincing the fans to congregate into a couple of large herds to make policing easier? I mean, which is easier to police: 100,000 people crowded into one (albeit large) area, or 100,000 people spread out over a couple hundred blocks? I smell a good crowd control plan that also makes said crowd happy!
"We've made too many compromises already, too many retreats. They invade our space, and we fall back. They assimilate entire worlds, and we fall back. Not again. The line must be drawn here! This far, no further! And I will make them pay for what they've done!" - Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Living the (same) dream!
Nice dude! I made myself the same promise and convinced the wife to pack up the kid and fly out with me. Fridays game was NUTS. Even crazier with a 2 and a half month old in that massive crowd downtown. Sticking around till the end. Well worth the visa bill.
by luonGods on Jun 12, 2011 10:49 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
Absolutely. And may I add that you appear to have a very cool and/or tolerant and/or understanding wife!
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by nucksandpucks on Jun 12, 2011 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions
No one commmented on getting your picture taken with Steve Nash? How awesome is that?!
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I thought it was pretty cool myself!
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by nucksandpucks on Jun 12, 2011 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions
My dad called me today
To tell me he was at Game 5. Bought a ticket just before noon on Friday and took the 1PM ferry over. Said he was giving so many high fives after the game he had to switch arms because his shoulder was getting sore.
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
"You can't come in my kitchen, kick my dog, and take a box full of ballpoints! Your ass must be crazy!"
Awesome
If I hadn’t spent so much on a flight I would have considered trying to get a ticket… but I definitely cannot afford that, unfortunately.
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by nucksandpucks on Jun 12, 2011 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Awesome!
It looks like so much fun. I hope it continues tomorrow night!
I heart Kesler. Luu is my hero, and no just G-d would let the world end before the Canucks get the ultimate prize!
HAI GUYZ WHATS GOIN' ON
"Sometimes grown-ups have low self-esteem and get on guys and say stupid stuff. I think he has to be happy with his career. He did a great job on Long Island. I’m sure he is happy with that" - Captain Henrik Sedin, on Mike Milbury and his comments
Nucks Misconduct's official black guy and first line center (Twitter's 1st line center also).
by Chuckles Canuckles on Jun 13, 2011 1:31 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
that is pretty damn awesome.
Nucks Misconduct writer, queen of inter-blogging etiquette.
I also ramble on Twitter every so often. (now with a new handle!)
"Whether it’s with his mouth or with his stick, Alex Burrows is going to end up pissing you off."
"He did a great job on Long Island. I’m sure he is happy with that." Henrik Sedin on Mike Milbury.
Glad
you like it, Missy.
"Sometimes grown-ups have low self-esteem and get on guys and say stupid stuff. I think he has to be happy with his career. He did a great job on Long Island. I’m sure he is happy with that" - Captain Henrik Sedin, on Mike Milbury and his comments
Nucks Misconduct's official black guy and first line center (Twitter's 1st line center also).
by Chuckles Canuckles on Jun 13, 2011 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions
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