I was watching the pre-game introduction for the game tonight and when to my disgust, the New York Islanders' fans started booing the Canadian Anthem. My friends and I just stared at each other in disbelief. I mean there is no place for that kind of stuff. If you don't like the team that's visiting boo them but don't go and disrespect a country's national anthem, especially one of your closest allies. This isn't the WWF where you can boo the wrestlers who you don't like.. When I go to hockey games we cheer for both the Canadian AND the American anthem. I lost a lot of respect for the Isle's fans tonight.

Out-freaking-standing. Only days after Detroit Fan made complete assholes of themselves and not only embarrassed themselves but all American's, and did there part to validate the "Ugly American" stereotype, New York City fan has to pull the same crap.

Atb2, when you go to a sporting event, you can boo whoever you want. WHOever. Boo the players, the refs, home team, road team, boo the drunk ass fan starting shit in the next section over, but you DO NOT BOO or talk or disrespect anyone's National Anthem. NYC'ers especially, considering after 9-11 burned a new sense of nationality and patriotism.

All I can say is to the Canadians, and others who will judge, PLEASE do not judge 280 million plus Americans, on the actions of a few thousand. I am thoroughly disgusted right now.

Thats about as low class as you can get...Do people have no decency, no respect? I'd bet $100 that they would be wanting to fight if someone did that to the Star Spangled Banner...
No Class...

Hurricane. Thing is, there are always people running their filthy sewers when the Star Spangled Bannor is playing as well. If there are assholes that won't even respect their own national anthem, I guess it is too much to expect they respect another countries...........So Sad.

Funny isn't it, they are the ones who killed 4 of our soldiers accidently, and they are booing OUR national anthem. Very disheartening.

A very saddened Canadian,
SKYSERVICE_330

The lack of respect just sickens me... KROC, your right, even at our own anthem people are talking and yelling before it is over...Is it just that people are ignorant? Are people stupid? Are people not smart enough to shutup before the anthem is over? I was watching a NASCAR race a few days ago, and about a minute into the song all of those Alabama Rednecks where wooping and hollering...I guess that is their type of respect for our country.
But people booing the anthem of one of our greatest allies all over a stupid hockey game?

Funny isn't it, they are the ones who killed 4 of our soldiers accidently
I would be willing to bet many of the people booing had no idea this happened. Either they were all drunk, or they are all ignorant. I truely beleive a decent person, a normal person, would not boo another nation's anthem.

Funny isn't it, they are the ones who killed 4 of our soldiers accidently, and they are booing OUR national anthem. Very disheartening.

SKYSERVICE_330. While I in noway agree with the actions of these people, you cannot say that THEY killed 4 of your soldiers. 4 of your soldiers were accidentally killed in military action. They died tragically, but bravely and honorably. These people booing "Oh Canada" did not kill anyone. The only thing they killed was any respect they might have had in other people's eye's.

A very disgusted American
KROC

KROC- I am not judging all Americans as I have been fortunate to attend a few Ottawa-Buffalo play-off games in Buffalo and the fans there were great... They were excited to see fans coming from Canada to watch the game. I just feel that as you put it and I agree with you "New York City Fan" has ruined the reputation of Islanders fans for the ones who came to the game to have fun and not to disrespect someone's national anthem.

Matt

Well said KROC.

Who cares if a few Americans liquored up at a sports event boo our anthem? Yawn....big deal.

As for the 4 Canadian soldiers dying....they're the first to die since the Korean War......Canada has been living under the protection of the US for 60 years.....Canada should be grateful to the US, certainly not angry.

Neil

To all my Canadian friends, when people are cought up in a sporting event (look at the Europeans in soccer)they loose all sense.
I can assure you that this American as well as millions more love our Canadian friends to the north.
New York fans are passionate but at least the don't riot in ths stands and kill each other. Now that would be bad!
Standing on gaurd for thee!
ClipperHawaii

Hey cheers ClipperHawaii!

Although I'm a proud Canadian, I'll be the first to admit that our best national asset is our closeness to the US. Some of the anti-American nonsense I hear from fellow-Canadians every day is truly parochial & embarassing.

 

Neil/Toronto

I am very grateful to the US, but does being grateful mean that I should just stand by and ignore it when someone boos my national anthem? I think not.

Well, they're doing something right. The Isles are up 4-1 

As a self-proclaimed "New York City fan" and "Islander fan," I have a feeling that the fans were booing the Leafs for kicking the crap out of the Isles rather than the Canadian anthem or Canada - not that that makes it ok. They just picked the absolute wrong time to do it. As "Islander fan," "America fan" and "Canada fan" I find it embarassing. But it does not surprise me from typical Long Island trash.

That disgusts me. When the Stars play at home and they are doing the National Anthem of the USA, when they get to "Who's broad strips and bright stars... and "Oh say does that star...." When they get to the Star part, everybody yells "STARS!" I yell too, but not overly. I think it is fun, but there really is not a whole lot of class by doing it.

As for actually booing a national anthem(especially one as good as Canada's) is pretty sickening. What matters though is that the Leafs win  .

blink

At the risk of starting a flame war....

I'm Canadian and I must say this has been blown out of proportion. Yeah, it's silly. But c'mon, it was a bunch of probably drunk hockey fans. Lets be *realistic* here. Anyone can fall victim to mob mentallity; that's all that happened here.

I find it acceptable to start to cheer during the last bar of the National Anthem (American). I am more disturbed by the morons who feel the need to talk, joke, and crap like that during the anthem.

I really don't buy the fans being drunk, only because the game was just starting. If you show up drunk, you will not be allowed inside. If your going to get drunk, you got about a half hour before game time, and allot of people had to do that. Like in the Detroit incident, many feel that the fans were booing the Raptor's, not "Oh Canada", maybe so. Maybe Islander Fan was booing the Leafs, but there is a time too do it, and a time not to do it. You don't boo when someone is seriously injured, and especially during the National Anthem.

I am very disgusted. How can those people disrespect the pride and glory of one of the U.S.'s greatest allies, Canada? If I were them, I would have stood up and honoured the Canadian national anthem in support of Canada. If those NY Islander fans cannot respect the Canadian national anthem, then how can they be human beings?

They're just some guys out on the town. Give em a break.

They're not boo-ing Canada....just the Canadian team.

Big deal.

The fans had all during player introductions and during the game to boo the Leafs. You can at least take a break for 2 minutes to respect a national anthem.

On a side note I think think the Leafs did not take the loss very well and I saw no need for the fight at the end of the game.

New Yorkers reverting to stereotypical behavior? It's crap like that that many Americans outside of the Big Apple always felt that alot of NYers were loud, rude and an embarassment to the country. They had our support and sympthy on and after 9/11 but stuff like this will definately cost them some goodwill. My apologies to our Canadian friends and shame on those idiots.

ozark couldnt have said it better I am extremely ashamed of my fellow countrymen. It is aboslutly disgusting to see heir behavior ESPCIALLY when the whole world had an outpouring for Americans especially the Canadians. What an embarassent those fans ae to the USA.

Alas this is no one off event. Regularly at the start of soccer matches opposing fans will boo the opponents' national anthem. When England played Scotland last, you couldn't actually hear the English anthem over all the booing!

I am glad to see that New Yorkers are returning to normal, rude, classless, obnoixous and inconsiderate.

Did anybody else see the movie "Canadian Bacon" In the begining they go to see a hockey game in Canada, all through the national anthem, they are talking and making rude comments about Canadians. The ignore them until John Candy makes the comment, "Their Beer sucks!" After that the riot is on.

Actually I have to agree with John, Their beer does suck.

I am glad to see that New Yorkers are returning to normal, rude, classless, obnoixous and inconsiderate.

Nothing like reverse ignorance to fight ignorance. L-188, your going to judge 22 plus million people on the actions of a couple thousand? Nothing like a good stereotyping reset.

No, just the couple thousand that where at the game.

I'll buy that L-188. Gotta be careful on how you state something like that then. Hell, I'm a New Yorker, and didn't boo anything last night (accept the NY Met's when they were down 2-0 in the first inning  ). Also, I'm sure there were 15,000 people at the game, and only a small percentage of them, actually made everyone else look bad.

(By no means does it make it any better...don't get me wrong)

Hey, Just trying to find out how personal some people are or can get. 

When the Canucks faced the Rangers in the finals (92?) I remember Oh, Canada was booed at MSG  

The replies from our American friends in this post proves you can't judge an entire population on the actions of a few.

The funny thing is probably more than half of the N.Y. players are Canadian! Way to show support for your team! lol


Kris

P.S. Our beer doesn't suck, you're just used to wussy American beer.  

Not quite, VonRichtofen.

I first started drinking bier in Germany where they know how to make the stuff.

US and Canadian beer is very weak by comparision

I wouldn't think about dissing some countries national anthem by booing during the music..although in fairness I don't think I really shut up and listen to it either.

While I always stand for ours, I usually don't break stride in my conversation or whatever while they play it. It just seems a bit out of place--it's just a sporting event--not a political or patriotic venue. Although with all this psuedo-patriotism after 9/11 I see that more folks pay a bit more attention...

Oh well..different strokes I guess....

You take that back L-188. Canadian beer does not suck. If you don't take that back I'm gonna kick the sh*t out of you!  

This is thoroughly embarrassing! No wonder we there are people, no matter where you go, that dislike America. If we can't respect other countries, especially at a stupid sporting event, how can we expect them to respect us and our country?

LH423

Whoa you guys would be shocked at what UK soccer fans get up to!

Yyz 717, I second your comments!! It was lousy what these people did at the game, but you can't judge the whole USA on a couple thousand dumb asses!!

Chris  

Whos drunk before the game starts...
Anthem is before the game, not after.

Ryanb741 - good effort in trying to blend into a thread about a foreign sport. I'm impressed.

Obviously the fans aren't drunk if they are drinking Molson.

Sorry, LH423, Beer made on this side of the pond is universally bad. It is a fact of life, sorry

KROC...I do more in one day to protect the Constitutional rights and uphold the Bill of Rights for citizens than you will ever do in a lifetime. So, save the your flag-waiver juvenile rhetoric for those less educated.

I added a comment to an existing thread agreeing with the original post. It was no reason for a personal attack. I have forwarded a formal complaint to the the moderators and to Johan.

Ok....time for an insult....

Attorney's drink Canadian beer!!!

Greg, you want to play games, whatever bro. I'll bust off a formal complaint on you as well. Anyone who would admit to blantently disrespecting something most American's respect, follow and believe in is nothing short of a personal attack on millions of people.

As for you doing more in a day.....doubt it. I actually served my country. You filling lawsuits all day long hardly counts.

Hey Kroc..I've got nothing against you.
Don't know you...don't wanna know you. It's clear you don't appreciate lawyers..that's fine too. There's a bunch I can't stand either.
But I won't tolerate any personal attacks on my values or ethics.

It's your perogative to file any complaint you wish--no one is denying you that. I'm well aware of my rights--legal and otherwise--on a public forum--even a foreign one. We can pursue it as far as you'd like.

Greg, I have nothing against lawyers. How you decided that one counsler I do not know. Not all lawyers are good, but there is definitely a need for good ones. I did not judge your lawyer abilities, or judge you other than the fact that I find it reprehensible to act the way you do during the playing of the National Anthem. I found your post nothing short of an attack on my values.....so what now?

Absolutely disgusting! Stupid NY Islander fans should learn to behave.

Alexander

Absolutely disgusting! Stupid NY Islander fans should learn to behave.

Absolutly disgusting, stupid posters should learn hopw to not generalize. Last time I checked, NY Islander fans were all over the country at a minimum. To call ALL fans stupid and say they need to learn how to behave is rediculous.

KROC..now we agree to disagree...we both can agree that is the nature of free speech.
We drop our argument and move on.
I think that is the best compromise.
It was not my intention to offend your values.

KROC, this isn't THAT big a deal. Is it disgusting? Remember, this is a sporting event. It's usually in good taste. Even boos don't nessecarily make it disgusting. You have thousands of fans, all with a crowd-mentality, all excited because of the game and a lot of them are probably a bit drunk.

The point is, have you ever giggled at a racist joke? Have you ever thought to yourself "yeah, but she's just a WOMAN!"? How about at one point thinking "those fucking Afghanis"?

It's human nature. It may not be nice, but that's the way we are. I'm not racist or sexist, but on occasion I have (as I'm sure all of you have) laughed at a racist joke or made sweeping generalisations about people. It's not nessecarily disgusting.

Okay, 777236ER said much better what I was trying to say in my first post.

It's silly trying to deny human nature.

Is it "human nature" to make up a song for a chunk of geography?

Yes, some disrepectful Amercians booing our national anthem is not exactly the nicest thing to hear about.
However, we have to keep this in proper perspective.
These people are NOT representative of the entire U.S.
population. I have Amercian relatives and good friends, and I know where they stand on Canada - U.S. relations. I have visited the United States many many times, and have had the good fortune to meet up with a lot of wonderful Americans. In short, gentlemen, lets not blow this out of proportion. Do not let a few outweigh the many.

Cheers to my American Neighbours,
Canadi>nBoy
YYZ

777236ER. Yes, you make a few points, BUT, we are not European Soccer Fan in this country. ESPECIALLY after 9-11, booing another country's National Anthem is absolute garbage. It's not like Osama's All-Stars were getting ready to take the ice, and they were booing their anthem. Canada is a great neighbor and friend. Competition and mob mentality is one thing, but when a few fans can't shut their trap's for 2 minute's is disgusting and embarrassing. Also, I doubt many were "a bit drunk", considering the game hadn't started yet. If you show up drunk, you're not getting in, and with the concession stand lines.....You had better ordered about 10 beers to start to get drunk.

I agree with you. That's showing a lot of disrespect for a country. (Also a country that lost some of its soldiers fighting in Afgainistan.) People need to show respect the anthem.

Anyway Canada is a nice country and Go Leafs since the pens could'nt come damn close to making the playoffs.

che

I, as a Canadian don't care what a couple of dunderheaded people think about us. They are not goig to change the way we run our country as we are not going to change them. I feel the best way to get even is to show FULL RESPECT for the American National anthem. Once they see how respectable we are that should make them feel like a pile of crap!!! I will hold my head up high and look to the sky with honor when I hear the US national anthem being played hoping that some day they will see how greatful we are in Canada!!

Well, apparantly some MTL Canadiens' fans had their revenge during the US national anthem the other night at the Molson Centre. It didn't help the B's, they lost 2-1  

LH423

Can we keep in mind the Leafs injured our (Islander's) two best players, one with a torn ACL and another with a concussion with cheap hits. We, as fans, are a BIT pissed off, excuse us.

Now, if only the team that played in the Air Canada Centre was like the FANS that are there, we could have fair games, with players that know how to play real hockey. Unfortunately, that seems to not be the case, and it looks like the Maple Leafs had to get our players out of the playoffs to win. Even worse, it won't happen, because on Tuesday, chances are we'll steal game 7 right from them, and they, as a team, will be out.

Hey, it's been 8 years, I gotta beleive.

-JFKspotter

JFKspotter: Being pissed off over some dirty tricks or whatever is fine. If you have to vent, do it at the team. There is no reason to disrespect and entire nation, and one of the US' closest allies because of a hockey game. There's no excuse for that behaviour, no matter how you look at it.

LH423

JFKSpotter, I don't buy your rationale. You are mixing politics and sports by booing the national anthem, and it is at a particularly bad time. Just because your team is desperate after almost a decade out of the playoffs, it doesn't mean you have an excuse to be disrespectful to a whole country.
And now the whole ugly trend is catching on, we have seen the same thing in Detroit with the pistons fans.

Anyways, how do you think Eric Cairns, Steve Webb, Adrian Aucoin, Chris Osgood, Claude Lapointe, Dave Scatchard, Brad Isbister, Trent Hunter, Kevin Haller, Darren Van Impe and Michael Peca feel when their national anthem is being booed? I'll bet more than one of them feels pretty embarassed.

Don't forget that a lot of Canadians are still upset about our four soldiers being killed two weeks ago and see this as something further being rubbed in their faces. Once, I can understand it, and people let it go - it wasn't a really big story. But early this morning, it is the #1 news item in Toronto and people are already calling in and venting and it is 5:30AM.

I hope that the Toronto fans will continue to show that they are light years ahead in the class department and cheer the American national anthem as they did the past two games in Toronto.

This isn't about sports, it is about respect.

If the fans in Montreal booed the U.S. Anthem...where is the outrage for that act? Or is it more distasteful when the U.S. or U.S. citizens do something like this?

CPDC10-30:
Politics? Who mentioned politics? You just threw in the whole soldier thing into this out of nowhere.

And besides, I can see how we, disrespected you entire nation, and I guess the right thing to do here, just in an attempt to make everything like it was before, is for me to apologize on behalf of other Islander fans.

Now, I see you clearly understand we've been out of the playoffs for a while, and considering you yourself are from Toronto, I can imagine you know first-hand how passionate hockey fans can be. Here, they got carried away, that's all. We haven't had a playoff home game in the longest time, you on the other hand, well, you know.

As for mentioning eleven of the players on the Islanders, thanks, but that wasn't necessary, I know very well who is on the team, and 'The Islanders' would've been enough. But of course, you forgot Kenny Jonsson, who is now out for the playoffs after being slammed into the boards by a Leaf, who after being awarded a 5-minute major, did not receive a game misconduct.

So in conclusion, keep it sports related. I did it from the start, please just don't say I did something I didn't do-as far as I know, politics had nothing to do with my previous post.

Good luck to your Maple Leafs...

-JFKspotter

STEVE WEBB!! STEVE WEBB!!

It was great to see the Isles kick the crap out of the Leafs last night. The score may only have been 5-3, but the Leafs got their ass beat!  

Until tomorrow night...

What the fans in Montreal was just as bad. Two wrongs don't make a right and I think it showed just as much disrespect as the Islander fans showed. I had hoped that there would be no retaliation by Canadian (not just habs fans) fans but I guess I put too much faith in them...

Oh well, there isn't much you can do... I just wish fans could take 2 minutes to just show some respect.

But on a side note.... It was nice to see the leafs lose and have Cairns kick the shit of Corson.. It made my night...

Matt

JFKSpotter: Kenny Jonsson would get a concussion if a snowflake fell on his head. He shouldn't even be playing in the league anymore with his long history of concussions. Yes, Roberts took a run at him but its nothing worse than what Corson and Tucker have been taking, except they don't get knocked out from hits. The hit on Peca is something else, I don't like Darcy Tucker myself and I think it was a dirty hit on Peca. But it was hillarious seeing the four or five tubs of lard trying to get at him in game six.

I'm not much of a leafs fan but I felt so happy and so proud to see the Toronto fans cheer the Star Spangled Banner yet again before last night, and Ed Robertson of the Barenaked Ladies giving the fans a big thumbs up in approval.

Why are you all beating yourselves up over this? Yes, it is unfortunate and embarassing when your own countrymen do it, but it isn't the end of the world. When this kind of thing happens, all the people of each country can do is look at each other, apologise and move on.

Fans (as a group) do stupid things, mainly because they think it will give their team an advantage. It doesn't mean you hate one another. Rise above it.