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MONTREAL -- Two nights after a fan threw a banana at Carolina Hurricanes goalie Kevin Weekes, the Montreal Canadiens said Molson Centre security guards have been asked to watch for racist behavior.
The banana was thrown onto the ice as the players went to the dressing room after Montreal's 2-1 overtime victory Tuesday night in Game 3 of the best-of-7 Stanley Cup playoff series. Weekes, who is black, said he's not concerned about the incident. "I know it's 2002, but I fully understand that there's always a couple of idiots everywhere you go and I won't let it mar my experience of being here," Weekes said after Carolina's 4-3 overtime victory Thursday night that tied the series 2-2. "I love playing in this building and playing against the Canadiens. I won't let that dim my experience at all. There were 20,000 people and I'm sure 99 out of 100 are good-natured people compared to one percent of fools." Canadiens spokesman Donald Beauchamp said in a statement the team "does not tolerate such behavior and if members of our security staff witness such actions, they will react promptly." The Raleigh News-Observer reported that Carolina defenseman Aaron Ward pointed out the banana to linesman Ray Scapinello. Ward also declined comment. "We brought it to the attention of the league, but Kevin just wants to let it go, so we're willing to do that," Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford told the News-Observer. "We don't hold the Canadiens responsible for the behavior of a fan." A capacity crowd of 21,273 attended the game. Banana throwing and other racist acts aimed at black players have been reported at European soccer matches in the past, but it is the first such incident reported at the Molson Centre. Similar acts have been reported at junior hockey games in Canada.
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