But, apparently, the ensuing riots are the NHL's fault. At least that's what the Vancouver City Council has stated, according to The Globe and Mail.
After a review of the June 15 chaos, the city has concluded that it was a result of the league allowing it to happen rather than the surplus of ruthless — and mostly intoxicated – fans bitter about their team failing to hoist the Cup.
"In spite of four Stanley Cup riots in the last five years, [the NHL] has no approach, no policy and no apparent strategy to work with host franchises and municipalities on this issue," said the lengthy internal report, which was to be debated at a special council meeting on Tuesday, according to The Globe and Mail.
"[This] clearly … threatens the value and perception of their brand."
This criticism of the NHL reportedly comes on the heels of the provincially appointment independent review of the riot, which was headed by co-chairs Douglas Keefe and John Furlong, which also critiqued the league regarding the matter.
In their report released last week, they reportedly said it was "unfortunate and regrettable" that the NHL has no specific programs to help teams "with the kind of challenge [Vancouver] faced that night."
The Globe and Mail also reports that Councillor Suzanne Anton was critical of the league, saying that the NHL needs to own its own brand better.
"I was pretty shocked in that report at the disengagement of the league," she said.
The NHL, of course, rejected the criticism of the Vancouver council.
"[The league] already has successful programs that ensure responsible fan behaviour in all our game venues," spokesman Frank Brown reportedly said in an e-mailed statement.
Click here for a photo gallery of the Vancouver riots following Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final >>
