Towel Power
Towel Power is a term used by the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL) to describe the waving of rally towels by their fans. The tradition started in the 1982 Campbell Conference Finals when Vancouver played the Chicago Blackhawks. During game two of the series, head coach Roger Neilson waved a white towel on the end of a hockey stick in a mock surrender after being upset with the officiating. Neilson was ejected and the Canucks lost 4–1. When Vancouver returned home from Chicago for the following game fans supported both Neilson and the Canucks by waving towels first at the airport when the team arrived and then during the next game. The Canucks won the next three games and advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals where they were defeated by the New York Islanders. As part of the tradition, the Canucks hand out towels prior to playoff games for fans to help support the team.
History
Background
Late in the
Incident
Vancouver won the first game of the series in Chicago 2–1 in double overtime, but fell behind in game two 3–1.
Aftermath
Neilson was fined $1,000 and the franchise was fined $10,000 as a result of the incident. Myers later called Neilson's action "bush league". While NHL executive vice-president
When the Canucks returned home, they were greeted by fans at the airport waving towels in support of the team.[6] During game three, fans waved towels to show support for the Canucks.[4] Former professional football player, wrestler, and five time world belly flop champion Butts Giraud got permission from the team to start selling towels with the phrase "Canucks Take no Survivors". He initially had 5,000 of them made at $1 apiece and sold 1,000 of them right away, proceeds going to charity.[8] Giraud would sell 30,000 towels personally, the proceeds for charity amounted to $23,000.[5]
[9] Vancouver won game three 4–3 to take the lead in the series.[3] For game four there were more fans waving towels as the Canucks won again 5–3.[1][3] Vancouver won game five in Chicago and advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they were swept by the New York Islanders.[1]
To continue the tradition, the organization produces 20,500 white towels with the Canucks logo for each playoff game.
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.[13][14] In recent years, other NHL hockey teams have used rally towels at home games, including the Anaheim Ducks Fowl Towels.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d e Weiner, Evan (2010-04-30). "Vancouver's towel-power tradition has Quebec roots". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on 2011-08-04. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ^ "1981-1982 Regular Season". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on 2012-10-25. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ^ a b c d "1981-82 Vancouver Canucks Schedule and Results". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on 2011-08-16. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ^ a b c d e f Colebourn, John (2011-06-06). "How Towel Power was born". The Province. Archived from the original on 2011-06-09. Retrieved 2011-07-20.
- ^ a b c d e f Jory, Derek (2011-06-04). "Towel power". Vancouver Canucks. Archived from the original on 2011-08-11. Retrieved 2011-07-20.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-470-67916-6
- ^ McIndoe, Sean (November 22, 2013). "NHL Grab Bag: Everyone in Toronto Seems Extremely Chill About Clarkson's First Goal". Grantland.com. Archived from the original on March 29, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
- ^ Len, Corben (April 18, 2012). "INSTANT REPLAY: The real story behind the White Towel". North Shore Outlook. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013.
- ^ "CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF TOWEL POWER - Vancouver Canucks - Team". Archived from the original on 2015-02-04. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
- Peterborough Examiner. Archivedfrom the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
- ^ "Canucks to unveil permanent outdoor tribute to Roger Neilson". Vancouver Canucks. 2011-04-04. Archived from the original on 2011-04-07. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
- ^ Pickens, Pat (2019-12-07). "Canucks turn back clock with Flying V, Flying Skate jerseys on 80s Day". NHL. Archived from the original on 2021-01-28. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
- MinnPost. Archivedfrom the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2012-10-12.
- ^ Amen, Rob (2007-10-26). "Terrible Towel copycats". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2008-06-10.