A Montreal Canadiens fan kicks a tear gas pellet away from the crowd after SPVM riot police attacked a post game celebration. Downtown Montreal. May 18, 2026. William Wilson.
The Montréal Canadiens beat the Buffalo Sabres in sudden death overtime in game 7, in Buffalo, New York, to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Tens of thousands of fans packed the Centre Bell for a watch party for the away game, spilling out into the warm spring evening in ruckus jubilation following the win.
Montreal Canadiens fans celebrate outside the Bell Centre. Downtown Montreal. May 18, 2026. William Wilson.
SPVM riot police pushing Montreal Canadiens fans as they commence dispersal operations. Downtown Montreal. May 18, 2026. William Wilson.
After a couple rounds of fireworks were shot into the air in by celebrating fans, SPVM officers in riot gear, with shields and batons, immediately began forcing the crowd from the space surrounding the arena. Fans later coalesced at St Catherine and Peel, where a soccer ball was kicked around between fans as they chanted their olé’s.
SPVM riot police attack Montreal Canadiens fans celebrating at Rue Peel and Rue St. Catherine. Downtown Montreal. May 18, 2026. William Wilson.
SPVM riot police attack Montreal Canadiens fans celebrating at Rue Peel and Rue St. Catherine. May 18, 2026. William Wilson.
SPVM riot police push a fan to the ground as they attack a celebration of Montreal Canadiens fans on Rue St. Catherine. Downtown Montreal. May 18, 2026. William Wilson.
SPVM riot police push a fan to the ground as they attack a celebration of Montreal Canadiens fans on Rue St. Catherine. Downtown Montreal. May 18, 2026. William Wilson.
SPVM riot police attacking Montreal Canadiens fans during dispersal operations. Downtown Montreal. May 18, 2026. William Wilson.
SPVM police soon arrived to disperse the reveling crowd. They charged fans without any kind of warning, pushing and beating them. One firework was shot towards the police. They then shot tear gas eastward on Rue St Catherine.
A Montreal Canadiens fan kicks a tear gas pellet away from the crowd during SPVM riot police dispersal operations. Downtown Montreal. May 18, 2026. William Wilson.
Fans and bystanders alike suffered the effects of tear gas, coughing, crying and spitting in the street as the gas seeped indiscriminately into nearby businesses and car traffic. Some fans changed their celebratory Montreal Canadiens chants to anti-police chants. “Tout le mode, déteste la police”.
SPVM riot police shooting tear gas into the air and charging celebrating fans. Downtown Montreal. May 18, 2026. William Wilson.
Montreal Canadiens fans suffering the effects of tear gas following SPVM riot police dispersal operations. May 18, 2026. William Wilson.
Riot police on foot and on bicycles continued to chase fans throughout the downtown core wherever they coalesced. Some fans continued to gather at downtown intersections, followed shortly by a new wave of charges from the police. This cycle continued for over an hour and a half, often resulting in police pushing the same crowd of fans in circles around blocks.
SPVM riot officer beating a bystander in the back with his baton as SPVM attack celebrating Montreal Canadiens fans. Downtown Montreal. May 18, 2026. William
SPVM riot police pushing a Montreal Canadiens fan. Downtown Montreal. May 18, 2026. William Wilson.
SPVM riot police dispersing Montreal Canadiens fans. Downtown Montreal. May 18, 2026. William Wilson.
The Montreal Canadiens will play the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, May 21.
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