Thread by @faisallutch

Because the @CanadiensMTL are about to compete for the #StanleyCup here is a story of me almost getting killed before game 5 in ’93, watching the Habs win the cup in the Forum, and seeing a news van explode. #GoHabsGo 1/

So I’m a big fan, a product of my mother’s teachings who was a die hard Canadiens supporter from the moment she immigrated to Canada in the 60s and settled in @Montreal . 2/

I was 19 in 1993 and stood outside the forum in line overnight a few times to get tickets to see a some games during the run. I was lucky to snag a couple of standing room seats to game 5 in the final. 3/

For those of you who don’t know, “standing room seats” were basically first come first serve places you could stand behind the whites and blues and watch. 4/

Cheap! I paid $15 each! BUT you had to run in and just stake a spot for yourself when they opened the doors. 5/

I was going to Dawson and skipped class to get in line to wait for them to open the doors . I was around 6th in line. A GIANT crowd formed behind me. Thousands of crazy fans desperate to get in. 6/

When the usher finally came, I was pressed right up against the glass door (even though I wasn’t first this was how the line formed). I was fighting back the crowd as best I could - but they were all pressing toward me. 7/

The usher then unlocked the door and the crowd went into a frenzy. Go Habs Go! Cheers and yells. It was madness. I was crushed. 8/

The bigger problem was THE DOOR OPENED OUTWARD. There was absolutely no way to open the door with thousands pressing the other direction. The usher and I locked eyes and I could see he was terrified at what might happen. 9/

It did happen. My hands went through the glass as the door shattered from the force, and a rain of giant shards came down on me. 10/

This was NOT safety glass. I ducked and covered my head with my hands as best I could. People screamed. People cried out. It was a mad rush. I had no sense of self preservation. I ran into the building and passed an usher my ticket to scan. 11/

The other people who came in from that and other doors b-lined to the best spots, the (white) seats. I completely lost my friend Trev. But I had to get a good spot to watch the game! 12/

I got got there and snagged a great spot to watch. I breathed a sigh of relief. But a guy next to me said, “Hey, uh, you should probably get that looked at.” 13/

I followed his gaze and looked at my hands which were cut up and covered in blood. Below me a small pool had formed. I didn’t feel anything. I think I laughed. 14/

My first thought was: I am not missing this game. I made this stranger vow that he would hold my spot, and put my bag down to claim it. He did not protest. 15/

I then talked to another usher who immediately took me to get looked at. We went though a bunch of hallways that I didn’t recognize and ended up in THE MONTREAL CANADIANS CLINIC. 16/

It was full of people. People I recognized from the line. One woman had a broken arm. Others had various cuts and injuries. One of them said, “we thought you died!” (I was the first through) 17/

A doctor looked me over and bandaged up my hands. He told me I had to go to the hospital and get stitches immediately. I had to hold my hands above my head as much as I could to keep the blood from flowing. I assured him I would. 18/

I did not. I left the clinic and searched around for Trev but couldn’t find him. The crowd was getting excited, the player were on the ice for warm ups. I decided I wasn’t going to miss this and just went back to my spot and watched the first period. 19/

It was intense and I was pumped up, though with less blood in my body. I kept my hands up the whole time which was fine because I was cheering constantly. 20/

After the first I went down to the exit and pleaded with a doorman: I am going to get stitches, but I will return. PLEASE LET ME BACK IN. He assured me he’d be at that door. 21/

So I RAN down the street to the hospital. When I arrived there was much surprise because the other patients had come so long ago. But the game was on all the TVs in and out of the emergency. 22/

I got some stitches to my right hand (I still have the scar!) and watched part of the 2nd period where the Habs took the lead. The doctor said I could go, and I ran back up the hill. 23/

I got to the door and it wasn’t the same person! I told him my story quickly and he believed me (thank God). Side note: a stranger pretended to be with me and also got in for free. I said nothing. 24/

I rushed back to my space and watched the end of the second and then the third. The Habs won their 24th Stanley Cup. I’m a writer but I still can’t explain what this feels like, or sounds like. It was GLORIOUS. But this isn't the end of the story... 25/

The team paraded around with the cup for way longer than I expected. Just cheering and cup raising and ceremony and pure joy. 26/

When I finally left the building, and I kid you not, immediately after I walked out: I saw Trev and he gave me a big hug. He also thought I might have died, but watched the game. I do not blame him one bit. 27/

We walked up and down Saint Catherine Street in a parade for hours. We met some friends and went to the La Cage Au Sports for some drinks, came out and paraded more. 28/

Of course, that night is famous for the riot. It was stupid and didn’t seem like fans mostly involved, honestly the whole night was mostly full of joy and with that ruckus happening on either side of the street. 29/

Trev and I eventually went to the casse-croûte behind the Forum and had some burgers and fries. I don’t know what time it was. They were delicious. 30/

When we came out we made our way to the corner of Atwater and Ste. Catherine and was spotted a @CTVMontreal PULSE news van on fire. We looked at it for a while, a little hypnotized by the flames. Then it EXPLODED. 31/

This was not a movie explosion. It was more of a crack of sound and a giant puff of smoke that spread everywhere. The entire street was covered in a thick dark haze and we couldn’t see three feet ahead of us. 32/

Then I heard a strange sound. Bang. Bang. Bang! It got closer and closer and we couldn’t place it. Then out of the smoke emerged a line of riot cops, smashing their batons on their shields as the approached. 33/

Just give some more context: Trev and I were *alone* in the middle of the street and this line of twenty cops in armour were headed right toward us. Also of note, I am a brown guy. I RAN. Like faster than I ever have before. 34/

And that was the end of the adventure. My Stanley Cup story, one I have told for the past 28 years over beers and laughs. A story of past glory. 35/

The joy of a championship, and then a night of smashed windows during a celebratory riot. And, by the way, I was the first person to break a pane of glass that night, and it was of the Forum no less. 36/

I really hope the Habs give people a chance to have their own crazy (and less dangerous) stories as they chase 25. Go Habs Go! 37/

Oh, and btw, I’m headed to Montreal (I live in Toronto nowadays) to be in the city during the next couple weeks. If anyone has a line on tickets, I’m willing to sacrifice some blood to get them ;) 38/

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