The Vancouver Canucks don’t seem to have found a fan climbing on Roger Neilson’s statue as funny as many on social media did.
Following the Canucks Game 1 win over the Nashville Predators, fans were going wild outside of Rogers Arena in celebration. One video showed a fan climbing on and hanging a Canucks towel off of Neilson’s statue, much to the delight of many watching.
This was the funniest thing ever pic.twitter.com/DDSIclEY2f
— y – Liv ✨️🎷🐗 (@HuggyxHoggy) April 22, 2024
The Canucks dropped Game 2 but were able to pick up a win last night to go up 2-1 in the series. Depending on the outcome of tomorrow’s game, the Canucks may have a chance to win the series on home ice in Game 5. However, fans hoping to climb Neilson’s statue this time around won’t be able to do so.
Taking no chances. Nielsen statue now fenced off and towel made permanent. #Canucks pic.twitter.com/Kfrdg1u0bO
— X- Justin Credible (@JustinLai01) April 27, 2024
A fan attending last night’s viewing party uploaded a photo to social media showing that the statue has now been fenced off, with a Canucks spokesperson telling Daily Hive in an email that they did so due to safety concerns. They did, however, choose to leave the towel on.
Neilson served as the head coach of the Canucks from 1982 to 1984. He led the Canucks on a Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Final in 1982, where they wound up being swept by the New York Islanders.
While Neilson had a terrific coaching career which also included stints with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, LA Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers, and Ottawa Senators, there is one moment in particular that fans remember when hearing his name.
During the Canucks’ 1992 playoff run, the Canucks found themselves in penalty trouble in Game 2 of the Western Conference final versus the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks were able to score on one of those power plays, prompting Neilson to put a white towel on a stick and wave it in the air as a sign of surrender to the officials.
The Blackhawks wound up taking Game 2 by a 5-1 final, though it would be the only win they picked up in the series, as the Canucks would go on to win in five to advance to the Stanley Cup Final.
In a very fitting gesture, the statue of Neilson is home, holding a stick covered by a towel. Now, at least as long as the Canucks’ current playoff run goes on, a towel from this year will remain on as well.
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