http://bruins.bostonherald.com/bruins/view.bg?articleid=517 Anthem bashing blemish: Habs fans taint victory
By Karen Guregian
Monday, April 12, 2004
MONTREAL - Canadiens fans are certainly among the loudest and most passionate in the league.
After last night's pregame performance, a case can be made they're also among the most ignorant and classless.
Because they're so loud, so expressive, it was hard to miss them booing the U.S. national anthem. It started the minute tenor Charles Revost-Linton first belted out, ``O say can you see,'' and lasted clear through ``the home of the brave.''
This wasn't just a few drunken, callous nitwits, mind you. This was a healthy portion of the Bell Centre crowd hooting on ``The Star-Spangled Banner.''
Sure, they were fired up, doing their best to support the Habs before the puck dropped. They feverishly waved their white towels and booed the Bruins at the first sight of Black 'n' Gold. That doesn't excuse the fact they couldn't contain themselves and show a little respect when the American anthem was sung.
This nonsense happened here two years ago during the Boston/Montreal opening round series, as well as several other U.S. vs. Canada-based playoff series at the height of the conflict with Iraq.
It was disturbing then. And it still is now.
I was told it's the first time it's happened this year during a game with a team from across the border. That didn't make me feel any better. What, just because it's the playoffs, and more's at stake, it's OK to trash the opposing team's anthem?
Chanting ``Bruins `bleep' '' is certainly obnoxious, but it doesn't cross the line of decency. Booing the anthem - any anthem - does.
Quebec native Martin Lapointe [news] was disgusted.
``I really think it's a lack of respect. Those Americans are out their in Iraq, fighting for the United States. There's no respect there,'' the Bruins' assistant captain said following the B's 3-2 loss in Game 3. ``I would encourage the fans to be better next game, because it's not the way to do it.
``Am I embarrassed? Yes, I am,'' he went on. ``There's no need for that. The national anthem should be respected. What they did tonight . . . I feel ashamed.''
Their beloved Habs won the game and made this a series again at two games to one. But the fans' lack of class put a black mark next to the victory.
Boo? How about throwing an earful the way of Montreal forward Mike Ribeiro if he was in fact feigning injury to get a timeout with the Bruins storming the Canadiens end in the final minute.
Watching him writhing in pain one minute, then laughing on the bench the next, that was an embarrassment to the game and to the Canadiens. That's the kind of stunt you boo, not an anthem.
Canadiens captain Saku Koivu claimed he didn't hear it. Well, he must have been wearing earplugs. Somehow, the Bruins didn't miss it.
``Being from here, I'm embarrassed,'' said B's defenseman Nick Boynton, a native of Nobleton, Ontario. ``But they can do what they want. They paid $200 to be here, they're allowed to do whatever the hell they want.''
Bruins fans were respectful of the Canadian anthem in Games 1 and 2 at the FleetCenter. Rene Rancourt didn't have to sing ``O Canada'' over a chorus of boos.
Thankfully, Bostonians didn't stoop to that level. Let's hope it stays that way come Game 5.
``I don't understand it,'' said Bruins forward Brian Rolston, who hails from Flint, Michigan. ``I don't understand it at all.''
I heard one time the Detroit basketball fans booed the Canadian anthem at an NBA playoff game against Toronto.
It's classless, no matter who does it.
I thought the maple leaf was supposed to be pointing downward in autumn. Go figure.
If you watch any sea-faring film (like A&E's Horatio Hornblower), you'll see that even back in the late 1700's, the Frenchies were referred to as "Frogs" by the English sailors. Even the French forces fighting in the New World were called "Frogs".
I'm living temporarily not far from the Khanawake Mohawk reservation, which is right across the Mercier bridge from Montreal. Most of the francophones won't even fly the Canadian flag, they fly the provincial flag. But on the reservation, nearly every house and business flies Old Glory, with a smattering of Canadian flags here and there. No provincial flags at all. (The Mohawks detest the frogs.)
**side note: A significant contingent of Mohawks from Khanawake fought valiantly in Vietnam, though since they reside outside of the US, they receive no veterans benefits.**
My take on the booing: Maybe the hockey fans didn't club their quota of baby harp seals today?