NHL city mayor says no way to outdoor viewing parties

Fans of the Vancouver Canucks have reason to celebrate with their team playing home games in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in nine years. While bars and restaurants have been full for the first two games of the Canucks first-round series against the Nashville Predators, one thing that is happening in other playoff cities won't be happening in Vancouver.

Mayor Ken Sim spoke with reporters Thursday and told them in no uncertain terms that outdoor viewing parties for the Vancouver Canucks is off the table given the city's history.

In 2011, Vancouver broke out into a riot after the Canucks lost in game 7 of the Stanley Cup final against Boston. Around 150 people were injured, there were more than 100 arrest, and the damage and staffing costs added up to $9 million for the city. In 1994, it was a very similar scene although in this case, the Vancouver lost to the New York Rangers in game 7 while the Canucks were on the road. In that case, more than 200 people were hurt.

It's unfortunate, but hard to blame city officials after two notable riots connected to hockey in Vancouver's history. The nearby cities of Delta and Port Coquitlam held outside viewing parties for the first two games, and both plan to continue to do so.