(Morontreal canadians coach/GM) Gainey asks fans to stop booing U.S. anthem

espn ^ | April 21, 2009 | AP

[max americana]

BROSSARD, Quebec -- Montreal coach Bob Gainey appealed to Canadiens fans to stop booing the U.S. national anthem.

Gainey, also the team's general manager, said fans who booed during "The Star-Spangled Banner" before Game 3 of their playoff series with the Boston Bruins should find other ways to voice support for their team.

"I feel like there's a confusion there with our fans," Gainey said Tuesday. "They feel like booing the anthem is supporting our team, in that the anthem represents the Boston team.

"And I think if they could separate those two things, then we could respect the anthem of the United States of America and they could still participate loudly in whatever way they want to disrupt the Bruins."

Boston leads the best-of-seven Eastern Conference series 3-0 and can complete a sweep with a victory Wednesday night.

Many fans booed the U.S. anthem at the Bell Centre on Monday night, even though others tried to drown them out with chants of, "Go Habs go."

The same booing has been heard during the playoffs in recent years. In the past, the Canadiens responded with a taped appeal on the scoreboard from Canadiens great Jean Beliveau asking fans to respect both national anthems, and there would be less booing at subsequent games.

[max americana]

classy canuckistani's eh?

[Crazieman]

Wasn’t president hopeandchange supposed to fix that?

[Carley]

But but but, didn’t an obambi state that it’s no longer cool to be anti-American.

[Corporate Law]

I was there for a Bruins (ironically) v. Habs game in November and did not notice much booing. In fact, I was treated extremely well at the Bell Centre and throughout the city (the Grey Cup was also going on that weekend). I think that the Boston rivalry probably brings out more than actual anti-U.S. feelings.

[longtermmemmory]

I think obama is gaining the same respect as jimmy carter....(well not as much)

[muawiyah]

Problem here is Canadian fans simply aren't smart enough to figure it out.

That's why when we take over the country we have to send our veterinarians out with their little rubberband machines to establish a mandatory eugenics program ~ at least prevent the breeding of more such people.

[synbad600]

At least they still have the option to voice their opinions.

[max americana]

It was one of his attack dogs Axelrod who presumable stated that but my money’s on president Urkel being the dimwit who thought of it.

[omega4179]

Then the mostly Canadian Boston Bruins shoved it down their throat 4-2

[Drango]

Does that mean I have to stop mooning canucks?

[max americana]

Amen to that.

[PGR88]

They did it once a while ago, and it was classless - now it’s just stupid.

Don Cherry put them in their place the first time.

[OpeEdMunkey]

I think that the Boston rivalry probably brings out more than actual anti-U.S. feelings.

Maybe. But by the end of the night they were booing Gainey and the team. I've never had an issue wearing a Bruins jersey to a game in Montreal. It's not the Bruins but the US that those idiots have no respect for.

Last time this happened, at the next game in Boston the crowd cheered the Canadian National Anthem.

[max americana]

I was still in Vancouver when the habs beat the Kings and I was a Greztky fan. The fans there are quebecer trash.

[PzLdr]

He’s going to drop a ceremonial puck at the Stanley Cup while his teleprompter apologizes to Canadians in English and French for the U.S being on their southern border.

[Carley]

And of course, we have Medvedev or was it Putin who referred to O as his comrade.

Notice what the Russians are doing now with regard to Georgia.

[raccoonradio]

I did a thread about this last night...yep, I felt a bit of schadenfreude to see the Habs lose after the booing of the
Star Spangled Banner! Boo the Bruins; boo Boston, if you must, but don’t boo the USA. “Where the stars and stripes/And the eagle fly.” Anyone recall any incidents of Oh Canada being booed on this side of the border?

[raccoonradio]

yeah I mentioned that too; I was surprised they were booing the U.S. now that The One is in charge...

[raccoonradio]

How Bostonians treat the Canadian anthem: By cheering and
singing along with it! (Feat former B’s coach Don Cherry)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TxpxFqAV4I

[max americana]

>Anyone recall any incidents of Oh Canada being booed on this side of the border?

There were occasions ONLY after Americans learned of the booing from canadian fans. As a former canuck, canadians couldn’t take it if their bigger neighbors ignore them.