This post-game celebration got a bit out of hand.
Some Montreal Canadiens fans rioted and flipped over a police car following their series-clinching victory against Vegas on Thursday night. Artturi Lehkonen scored the Game 6 OT winner to send the Habs to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1993.
Only 3,500 fans were allowed inside Bell Centre to witness the big victory. This led to an insane number of fans crowding outside the arena to watch the game on large screens. Some fans went too far with the celebrations.
Montreal fans flipped over a cop car to celebrate the victory. This led to riot police arriving to the scene. David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period reported that the crowds threw beer bottles at the riot police. Police returned the favor by dispersing tear gas on the crowds.
The Bell Center was put in lockdown because it was too dangerous outside. Fans were prevented from leaving the arena until some of the large crowds were dispersed.
Videos:
Someone just sent me this video of Montreal fans *flipping a cop car over* to celebrate the win tonight. 🤦🏻♀️ pic.twitter.com/yeCd41uF8e
— Christine "Go Donate Blood" Rousselle ❤️🔥 (@crousselle) June 25, 2021
Riots have already started in Montreal after the Habs game. Smh this the part about winning I don't like. Not a good look for the citt pic.twitter.com/FzEszFaS2q
— Blackcoinpurse (@blackcoinpurse) June 25, 2021
Riot Police in Montreal following the @CanadiensMTL win. pic.twitter.com/1AruVgk4dh
— 🇨🇦 Noah (@NoahWebb_) June 25, 2021
Here are a few photos of the flipped over police car:
montreal riot vibes got me feeling sentimental pic.twitter.com/93tJEsbswH
— the discourse sommelier (@funnierhandle) June 25, 2021
These photos obviously bring back memories of the 2011 Stanley Cup riots in Vancouver. Canucks fans destroyed their city following a Game 7 loss to Boston in the Cup Final. We can only imagine what Montreal would’ve looked like had they lost Game 6 on Thursday.
Update: Montreal police confirm they made 15 arrests in relation to the riots after Game 6.