Background prior to the
2007 Memorial Cup final in Vancouver. Late in the
1981–82 season the
Vancouver Canucks played a game against the
Quebec Nordiques in
Quebec City. During the game Canucks'
enforcer Tiger Williams was punched by a fan. In response Canucks' head coach
Harry Neale went into the crowd to "get the fan" and a few players followed suit. For his actions
NHL President John Ziegler suspended Neale for 10 games that began with six games remaining in the season and first four playoff games. Therefore, assistant coach
Roger Neilson took over the head coaching duties for Neale. Vancouver finished the year with a 30–33–17 record, second in the
Smythe Division, and qualified for the playoffs. Despite the losing record, the Canucks finished the year with an eight-game unbeaten streak, which continued into their first round match-up with the
Calgary Flames. Vancouver swept the Flames in three straight games advancing to the second round where they faced the
Los Angeles Kings. With Canucks'
General Manager Jake Milford retiring and Neale set to replace him, Neale told Milford to keep Neilson as head coach permanently, believing the team had bonded under his guidance. During the game the Canucks felt that referee Bob Myers was making questionable calls against them. A series of events in the third period ignited tempers. First, Vancouver had a goal disallowed. Soon after, there was a perceived non-call against Chicago, followed by a fourth consecutive penalty called against the Canucks. This enraged the Canucks' bench. Neilson was ejected from the game along with two players. Giraud would sell 30,000 towels personally; the proceeds for charity amounted to $23,000. Vancouver won game three 4–3 to take the lead in the series. Standing over 11 feet tall and weighing over 800 pounds, the bronze statue depicts Neilson's mock surrender which started towel power. During their 50th season celebration, the Canucks again acknowledged Neilson's creation of the tradition, this time in a pre-game ceremony where five players from the 1982 Canucks team reenacted the mock surrender at centre ice. The first use of
rally towels in professional sports was the
Pittsburgh Steelers football team's
Terrible Towel, in 1975.
Minnesota Twins first used
Homer Hanky towels in 1987. In recent years, other NHL hockey teams have used rally towels at home games, including the
Anaheim Ducks Fowl Towels. ==References==