Will Canadiens fans boo U.S. anthem? | Truth&Rumors

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08:28 AM ET 04.22
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If Montreal Canadiens players are, in fact, tuning out general manager/coach Bob Gainey as some here are suggesting, will the fans do the same? The answer comes tonight prior to Game 4 in this first-round series between the Habs and Boston Bruins. All ears will be tuned in to hear if the Bell Centre crowd will embarrass itself again by booing the American national anthem, a disrespectful act that has occurred far too often during recent playoff years in the cavernous home of the Montreal Canadiens. Will the vocal pro-Habs throng heed the plea made by Gainey yesterday to show some class during the playing of The Star-Spangled Banner? He certainly hopes so. "I feel like there's a confusion there with our fans," Gainey said. "They feel like booing the anthem is supporting our team, in that the anthem represents the Boston team. 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." Letters and e-mails, the majority originating south of the border, came flooding in to local media outlets yesterday expressing outrage at the jeering of the anthem prior to Game 3 Monday, a game won by the visitors 4-2. In past years, the Canadiens have run a message on the centre ice video screen from the legendary Jean Beliveau urging fans not to jeer during the anthem. Upon learning about Gainey's comments, Bruins goalie Tim Thomas called Gainey's request "a very classy thing."

Toronto Sun

Bob Gainey, AP

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April 22, 2009 08:50 AM ET

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What a shame. As an American, I have always had respect for Canadiens and would never dream of booing their anthem. I just can't believe they do this. Boo the opposing players. Don't boo the anthem.

PensFan-DWI

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Comment #2 has been removed

April 22, 2009 09:10 AM ET

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QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 09:06 AM ET 04.22 by Toronto Maple Leafs

St.Louis also booed Canada's anthem in game 3, that isn't getting any attention.

I don't agree with THAT either.

PensFan-DWI

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April 22, 2009 09:18 AM ET

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It wont matter after tonight anyway since the Habs season will be ending.

davep

Phila, PA

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April 22, 2009 09:28 AM ET

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QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 09:06 AM ET 04.22 by Toronto Maple Leafs

Canadians don't boo the anthem, it is just a few francophones. In Edmonton they sing it. St.Louis also booed Canada's anthem in game 3, that isn't getting any attention.

of course it isn't, if Rupert Murdoch owned a paper in St. Louis it would though

Spiny Norman

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April 22, 2009 09:51 AM ET

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Man this has been going on for years.

Back in 94 the Canucks fans and Rangers fans took turns booing each others anthems.

Total non story.

efizzle201

New York , NY

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April 22, 2009 09:52 AM ET

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Let them. These fans boo blatant offsides; they are a disgrace to the game.

Hopefully they can successfully burn their city to the ground after they lose this series.

OtherOne81

Red Dawn, CT

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April 22, 2009 10:06 AM ET

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Get rid of anthems.

Hank Kingsley

Port Alberni, BC

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April 22, 2009 10:22 AM ET

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I agree that it's not like all of Canada hates America now. A few fans boo at a bad time, enough for others to hear it. Now all Canadiens fans get lumped in as America haters. It's like the rap Philly or Boston fans get when a few psychos make their voices heard. All of a sudden EVERYbody in Philly was glad Michael Irvin's career was over, or EVERY Boston fan is a racist.

Cut some slack. It won't be the only thing they're booing tonight.

Powertrip

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April 22, 2009 10:37 AM ET

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QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 10:22 AM ET 04.22 by Powertrip

All of a sudden EVERYbody in Philly was glad Michael Irvin's career was over

I'm pretty sure this was an accurate statement. Everybody, everywhere (minus Dallas) was glad cokehead Irvin's career was over. Philly fans just got the privilege of a front row seat.

Slakdawg

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April 22, 2009 10:46 AM ET

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They also booed their own players, although who could blame them. It has been happening in both countries for years. They need to play only the anthem of the country they are in and it will stop immediately. Look how eASY THAT WAS

bjz3

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April 22, 2009 10:48 AM ET

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Are you sure they are saying "BOOOOOO" and not "BROOOOOOOMS"?

Eh... I always liked Toronto better as a city than Montreal anyway...

The Duke of Awesome

East Aurora , NY

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April 22, 2009 10:51 AM ET

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QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 10:06 AM ET 04.22 by Hank Kingsley

Get rid of anthems.

Agreed.

OtherOne81

Red Dawn, CT

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April 22, 2009 10:55 AM ET

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Better watch it or Obama will come up to Montreal and smite those people that hate America.

kramer202

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April 22, 2009 10:59 AM ET

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QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 10:55 AM ET 04.22 by kramer202

Better watch it or Obama will come up to Montreal and smite those people that hate America.

Ummm... what?

The Duke of Awesome

East Aurora , NY

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April 22, 2009 11:00 AM ET

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QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 10:37 AM ET 04.22 by Slakdawg

I'm pretty sure this was an accurate statement. Everybody, everywhere (minus Dallas) was glad cokehead Irvin's career was over. Philly fans just got the privilege of a front row seat.

I was not happy at all!

Reason being I knew I would have to suffer a few years of him being on ESPN.

The Duke of Awesome

East Aurora , NY

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April 22, 2009 11:01 AM ET

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QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 10:59 AM ET 04.22 by The Duke of Awesome

Ummm... what?

Obama is Superman. I thought everyone knew this?

kramer202

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April 22, 2009 11:10 AM ET

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Canadien fans. The reason you live free is because of the US. We stop crap from happening in NORTH America, as well as abroad, while you send 500 troops or so. You should be ashamed of your attitudes and actions. If St.Louis fans did boo the Canadien anthem, then they should also be ashamed. Canada and the US are not just neighbors, but friends and relatives live in each and Public Safety crosses the border to assist each other. Nuff said from me.