ESPN to release “30 For 30” on 2011 Vancouver Stanley Cup riots on June 4th
By Sam Nestler
1 month agoOn Wednesday, ESPN announced its plans to release a “30 For 30” on the 2011 Vancouver riots following the Canucks’ Stanley Cup Final Game 7 loss.
The feature, called “I’m Just Here for the Riot” is directed by Kathleen Jayme and Asia Youngman and will document the heartbreak and pure chaos that followed Vancouver’s Game 7 loss to the Boston Bruins. It will be available June 4.
“Taking a subject like Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals and the ensuing riot – and using that event to tell an even bigger story about society – is what makes 30 for 30 so special, said ESPN Films president and executive producer Marsha Cooke in a statement released by ESPN today. “The filmmakers had a clear point of view: to explain not just what happened, but why?”
2011 was the best season in Canucks history. Vancouver finished as the top seed in the Western Conference and President’s Trophy winners with the most points in the regular season (117).
They knocked off the Chicago Blackhawks in seven games, the Nashville Predators in six, and the San Jose Sharks in five to reach the Stanley Cup Final. It was the first time Vancouver had reached the Stanley Cup Final since 1994, when they fell to the New York Rangers.
It is also the last time they advanced to the final round or even the Western Conference Final.
The 2011 Stanley Cup Final went the distance. Vancouver won the first two games by one goal before Boston took Games 3 and 4, outscoring the Canucks 12-1 over two games. The Canucks shut out Boston 1-0 in Game 5 and had a chance to clinch their first Stanley Cup in Game 6. But the Bruins controlled the game on home ice and forced a Game 7.
Then, Boston dominated Vancouver, shutting them out 4-0 in their own rink and winning the Stanley Cup in hostile territory. Territory that only became more hostile toward the end and following the game.
What began as an exciting outdoor watch party in the streets of downtown Vancouver quickly turned into a full-on riot, as fans set fires all over their city. The chaos resulted in businesses destroyed and many injuries and required city police and fire to be called into action.
This was the second time a Stanley Cup loss sent Vancouver into a rage, as the city also rioted in 1994 following the Canucks loss to the Rangers.
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