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Habs defend fans, call looters bad apples

This athletic goods store was among the Montreal shops vandalized and looted following the Canadiens’ win over the Penguins on Wednesday night in Pittsburgh. (Graham Hughes/Canadian Press)

The Montreal Canadiens have sprung to the defence of their fans after an ugly outburst of looting marred playoff victory celebrations this week.

Players stated it was important Friday not to paint the entire fan base with the same brush.

“It’s too bad a small group gives a bad name to all Habs fans but it’s a minority of people,” stated forward Mathieu Darche, a Montreal-born Hab.

“We know it’s not our fans because we saw them partying in the streets and everyone was in a good mood.”

Some 50,000 jubilant fans flooded the downtown core following Wednesday’s stunning elimination of the Pittsburgh Penguins. After midnight, when the crowd had already dwindled down, about 500 people began tossing projectiles at police while scores of them looted.

Canadiens coach Jacques Martin preferred to focus on the other 49,500 downtown partygoers, and the hundreds of thousands of others who celebrated at home.

He called the team’s rabid fan base instrumental to the club’s success so far in the postseason.

“I think we have exceptional fans, we have unbelievable fans and it’s unfortunate, the incidents,” Martin said.

“But it’s only a small number of people, it’s a small group, but our fans are exceptional and they are a large part of our success.”

Police seek videos, pics

Montreal police asked for the public’s help in their pursuit of the estimated 500 troublemakers.

They stated they have created an email address where eyewitnesses can send in the digital evidence they snapped Wednesday.

They will analyze pics and videos and publish some in the hope of outing suspects.

People who can help are being encouraged to contact Montreal police at series.2010@spvm.qc.ca.

The image of one looter has already been splashed across the front cover of a local newspaper, clutching a bottle of Appleton rum while fleeing a liquor store. The headline above read: “Bunch of Damned Idiots.”

Police are hoping to capitalize on a widespread feeling of disgust from Montrealers who feel that their city’s reputation has been sullied by some bad apples. A similar plea following a night of looting and vandalism during the 2008 NHL playoff triggered an overwhelming public response.

Police arrested 41 people Wednesday on a variety of charges including assault, breaking and entering, and mischief.

Of the five people who have appeared in court, two were told Friday that they would be remaining behind bars.

The Canadiens have ruled out broadcasting the Habs’ next two road games on the giant screen at the Bell Centre.

But the organization stated it would think about broadcasting any later road games during the semi-final series.

More Source:

Montreal Canadiens Riot! 41 Habs Fans Arrested (PHOTOS)
Montreal Canadiens - Topics - Macleans.ca
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Submited at Saturday, May 15th, 2010 at 1:00 am on Sports by ethan
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