Boston Bruins Go Into The Stands In 1979

On December 23, 1979, in what remains as one of the most memorable fan-athlete confrontations in sports, Boston Bruins defenseman Mike Milbury whacked a New York Rangers fan with the fan's own shoe during an altercation in which several Bruins players went over the glass and into the stands at Madison Square Garden. The incident resulted in three Boston players being suspended. Of the three Bruins who were suspended, Terry O'Reilly had engaged in a career-high 22 fights during the season, Peter McNab had had only four penalty minutes during the previous season, and Mike Milbury had never before whacked anyone with a shoe.

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[crosscheckmate]

From what I remember, there were no wussy multi-million dollar lawsuits from bystanders that claimed they were offended by the situation or they were emotionally distressed by the violence ... and someone walked home shoeless and didn't have much of a problem with that because he deserved it. Those were the days when people took responsibility for their own actions.

[crosscheckmate]

Hey NewYorkers, Please try to limit your comments to common English and minimize the foul language. Thank you.

[R Jones]

Rangers - "think we should get in on this? Just a thought."

[Margaret Moore]

LOL, the fans always the fans, stop letting them drink beer during the games and these things won't happen.

[rnelsonbaseballfan]

They have a number of them today, not any at the time of this game.

[rnelsonbaseballfan]

This could have went way wrong if the fans were carrying a knife or a gun. Not to mention if a child would have been caught in the middle. If I was the NHL commish they would have received a lot more then they did. I like Cheevers' reaction but he couldn't get over the glass anyway with all those pads. The equipment was a lot heavier then it is today.

[ashesinthefallxx]

then you don't watch hockey. PK Subban is one of the best defenseman in the game... oh yeah and joel ward who scored the goal that eliminated your team last year... some fan you are.

[Hester Prim]

They must see you comin' from a mile away.

[codyhusky1]

we have a rematch,,,,,

[FEVB]

cause new york

[giangy333]

One skate to the jugular and this could have turned out a whole lot worse.

[BARCACROSSESTHEALPS]

This is what happens when people from Boston and people from New York get together; pure class!