Disappointed hockey fans in Vancouver, Canada turned violent after the Boston Bruins defeated the hometown Canucks 4-0 to clinch the seventh and deciding game of their National Hockey League's Stanley Cup championship series.

Riot police fired tear gas and used flash-bang grenades designed to disorient people in an effort to control the mob that burned and flipped over several cars. Witnesses say several businesses were looted.

Vancouver Police Department spokesperson Lindsey Houghton said the 'mischief and mayhem' was caused by small groups of individuals among the thousands of fans who had packed into downtown Vancouver in hopes of a win by the Canucks.

Several injuries have been reported. Just outside of the hockey arena, a man fell more than 15 meters from a pedestrian walkway onto the ground below and was taken to the hospital. One stabbing was reported.

The ugly scene brought back memories of the riot that erupted when Vancouver lost the Stanley Cup in 1994.