The "Richard Riot"

"Maurice Richard's temper is as fiery as his nickname, and the Rocket is no stranger to the penalty box. The francophone star is frequently at odds with the man in charge of league discipline, NHL President Clarence Campbell, seen by many as a symbol of the anglophone elite. Richard has been given several fines and suspensions, but on March 13, 1955, he goes too far. During a scrap with the Boston Bruins, Richard deliberately injures an opponent and then punches a linesman. Clarence Campbell responds by suspending Richard for the remainder of the season as well as the playoffs, a move that jeopardizes Richard's scoring record, the Canadiens' first place position, and their shot at winning the Stanley Cup. Worse, Campbell has the gall to attend the Canadiens' next home game. The provocative move is too much for Habs faithful, who are spoiling for a fight. They pelt the league president with food and then set off a tear gas bomb. The Montreal Forum is evacuated, and violence spills out onto the streets of Montreal. Rioters smash windows, loot stores, and clash with police. The riot of St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1955, is seen by many as a seminal moment in the evolution of Quebec's modern nationalist movement. Fifty years later, CBC Television looks back at the milestone "Richard Riot.""