The Canadiens finished in second place in the National Hockey League (NHL) with a record of 41 wins, 18 losses, and 11 ties for 93 points.
The suspension sparked a riot by angry Canadiens fans on March 17, 1955, during a game against the Red Wings (see below).
Public outrage from Montreal soon poured in, but Campbell stood firm, and moreover announced that he would be attending the Canadiens' next home game against the Detroit Red Wings on March 17.
Outraged Canadiens fans immediately began pelting them with eggs, vegetables, and various debris, with more being thrown at him each time the Red Wings scored, building up a 4–1 lead on Montreal.
The continuous pelting of various objects stopped when a tear gas bomb was set off inside the Montreal Forum not far from where Campbell was sitting.
When Richard's teammate Bernie Geoffrion passed him on the last day of the regular season, he was booed by Montreal faithful.