Fans gather to send-off Canucks at YVR
Posted Jun 11, 2011 4:11 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
RICHMOND (NEWS1130) – Hundreds of Vancouver Canucks fans sacrificed some sleep in order to give their heroes a worthy send-off at Vancouver International Airport this morning.
As the crowd waited for the players and coaching staff to arrive many chanted and waved placards reading, “Boston, we stuck it 2 U!” Every time one of the players walked in, fans erupted in cheers. And they only had one message for the team: bring home the Cup.
Some of the players stopped to sign autographs while others spoke to reporters. Many admitted the fanfare in the city has been pretty intense.
“Yeah, it’s nice. You can feel the intensity in the city and the vibe. It’s a great feeling obviously,” says goaltender Roberto Luongo.
“This has been a great journey to be a part of, and to see the fans and the support they’ve given us. That’s incredible,” says forward Henrik Sedin.
He and other players added that while it would be nice to win the Stanley Cup at home, the goal is to clinch the series on Monday.
A Boston perspective
Despite their loss last night, fans in Boston are feeling confident their team will bounce back to win Game 6 and send their team back to Rogers Arena.
Charlie Bergeron with WBZ Radio in Boston says it’s well known Bruins fans will do whatever it takes to help their players get to Game 7.
“The Bruins have a home crowd that will get them revved up and ready to go. That’s all anyone is talking about around here. And I really do believe the Bruins will step up and force a Game 7.”
Bergeron adds Luongo may have played a key role in helping the Canucks win, but he did make one big mistake. “Luongo was asked if he would’ve made the stop on the game winning goal and his comment was, ‘my style, I would have stopped it.’ You don’t get Tim Thomas upset.”
Before yesterday’s game Luongo went for a walk on the seawall to clear his mind and to focus for the game. Bergeron says fans down there will have no problem helping him do the same, but he should be wary of those in the black and gold.
Game 6 is at 5 p.m. in Beantown.
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