Well, we all know how Rome ended. At least Rome produced some culture to be remembered by, whereas we’re on a fast track to being remembered as ‘that failed outpost of hooligans who left nothing of value behind.’

“So should the rest of the NHL ownership, with its aggressive advertising and increasing tolerance—or let’s face it, encouragement—of violence in the game. I’m really surprised that anyone can honestly believe that the game’s violence doesn’t set an answering tone amongst spectators.”

Firstly: I shudder to think of what hockey would come to if fighting and hitting were not allowed as part of the game. It’s always been a part of the game. It has to BE a part of the game. It’s the only game where there is a weapon in every player’s hand and if there was no fighting allowed, eventually somebody’s going to get seriously hurt with a stick. The fighting is a way to have 2 people come to odds evenly without somebody getting a massive chunk of lumber across the back of the head. (Not to say that never happens, but sometimes tempers flare up larger than people are able to control)

Secondly: I am a little offended that you think the act of those people in Vancouver after game 7 seems to be par for the course. Since 2004, there have been 4 Canadian teams to reach the finals, with an additional 1 making the Conference Championships. Of those 4 finalists, 1 city rioted, 1 city burned things but it’s Edmonton and let’s be serious, they can’t do anything right. The other 2 cities (Calgary and Ottawa) didn’t really create a lot of news. While there may have been some larger bar damage than usual on the Red Mile, there were no riots, there were no fires. Just a peaceful celebration of a team that went the distance and came up empty handed in the end (and that was after a missed game-winning goal in game 6). Ultimately, the devastated fans just wanted to drown their sorrows and spend time with 50 000 of their closest friends. They did it peacefully, despite having watched a “violent” game. (Those are just Canadian examples – how many other times do you hear of riots inciting after a team’s city has lost a championship? Not many)

Also, it seems apparent to me that you are clearly not the biggest hockey fan and I’m sorry to tell you, you’re in a minority in Canada. If you feel it’s unfair that hockey overshadows things like music and the arts, you’re 100% right, however those don’t bring in the revenue that a sporting event brings. That’s the curse of living in North America. Sports will always win. (Though even in ancient times, often sporting events were the #1 attraction – The gladiatorial games…) I am a theatre artist in Calgary and I have felt the pinch of sports but cannot complain, as I’m also a hockey fan. After a while, you either have to embrace it or forget about it. Unless you can find a way to get 15 000 people to come see a play on one night, sports (and not just hockey, but all sports) are always going to take a front seat.