Music: {allcanada} CANUCKS INSIST 'TRUE FANS' NOT TO BLAME FOR STANLEY CUP RIOT

Friday, June 17, 2011

{allcanada} CANUCKS INSIST 'TRUE FANS' NOT TO BLAME FOR STANLEY CUP RIOT

VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Canucks say they're disappointed with the destructive violence that followed their Stanley Cup loss to the Boston Bruins, but the team's players and management insist the mayhem wasn't the work of "true fans."

Rioters burned cars, smashed windows and looted stores in the city centre on Wednesday night, and images of people wearing Canucks jerseys while participating in the chaos have been broadcast around the world.

Goaltender Roberto Luongo says the scenes of destruction were difficult to watch, but he blames the riot on isolated groups rather than real Canucks fans.

Other players, the team's head coach and the general manager all say they were disappointed with the violence, but each cautioned against placing the blame on hockey fans.

General manager Mike Gillis says the riot doesn't reflect the Canucks, the city or their fans, and he hopes all the rioters are caught and punished.

Gillis says he's concerned about anything that hurts the reputation of the city and the team, and he says the Canucks will work with police and other officials to prevent it from happening again.