Countdown to Game 7, 3 p.m.: Downtown Montreal to be closed off

The Canadian Press is reporting that the Montreal police will be closing a large stretch of downtown Montreal during Game 7 on Wednesday.

“The police won’t tolerate any mischief or indiscipline from people or fans wanting to celebrate downtown,” Chief Inspector Sylvain Lemay said.

About a half-mile of the downtown will be closed off in an attempt to slow down the rioting that has become almost an annual happening in the city following a Canadiens series. In May of 2010, police were forced to use tear gas to combat fans after Montreal’s Game 7 win over the Penguins. Stores were looted and bottles were thrown at police in the aftermath of the win, leading to 41 arrests.