Towel Power

During game two of the series, head coach Roger Neilson waved a white towel on the end of a hockey stick in a mock surrender after being upset with the officiating.

As part of the tradition, the Canucks hand out towels prior to playoff games for fans to help support the team.

[2] Despite the losing record, the Canucks finished the year with an eight-game unbeaten streak, which continued into their first round match-up with the Calgary Flames.

Vancouver swept the Flames in three straight games advancing to the second round where they faced the Los Angeles Kings.

[1] With Neilson remaining as head coach, the Canucks eliminated the Kings in five games and advanced to the Campbell Conference Finals against the Chicago Blackhawks.

He proceeded to take a white towel and place it on the end of a hockey stick holding it up in a mock surrender; some of the Canucks' players followed suit.

[6] Vancouver goaltender, Richard Brodeur later noted that although they lost the game the atmosphere in the dressing room was so positive it was as if they had won.

While NHL executive vice-president Brian O'Neill stated that the mock surrender "disgraced the championship series,"[4] Canucks' captain, Stan Smyl, noted that several players were "surprised" by Neilson's action because the coach had always been "respectful", and it was an "extreme way for him to react".

[4] Former professional football player, wrestler, and five time world belly flop champion Butts Giraud got permission from the team to start selling towels with the phrase "Canucks Take no Survivors".

[10] Standing over 11 feet tall and weighing over 800 pounds, the bronze statue depicts Neilson's mock surrender which started towel power.