MONTREAL - Bob Gainey is asking Montreal Canadiens fans to show some respect.
Less than 24 hours after the American national anthem was greeted by boos at the Bell Centre, the Montreal Canadiens general manager/coach is urging the crowd to avoid jeering the Star Spangled Banner prior to Game 4 of the Habs-Boston Bruins first-round series tomorrow night.
It was an embarrassing act, one that has happened far too often in the past during post-season games here in Montreal.
"I feel like there's a confusion there with our fans," Gainey said this afternoon.
"They feel like booing the anthem is supporting our team, in that the anthem represents the Boston team. I think if they could separate those two things, then we could respect the anthem of the United States of America and they could still participate loudly in whatever way they want to disrupt the Bruins."
Bruins goalie Tim Thomas said he was not surprised at the crowd's reaction to the Star Spangled Banner.
"The same thing happened last year and it happened just about every time I've played here," Thomas said.
"I thought when Obama got elected (president) they were going to stop doing that." he added, a wry grin on his face.
