Thirsty hockey fans in Vancouver may find themselves out of luck later today. Provincial officials have asked liquor stores downtown to close their doors at 4 p.m. local time, as the Vancouver Canucks prepare to do battle with the Boston Bruins.
The closures will affect six B.C. Liquor Stores as well as 13 private vendors.
B.C. Solicitor General Shirley Bond issued a statement about the closures on Monday, which said there was "a real and serious threat to public safety from the public consumption of alcohol, intoxication levels and public disorder."
The move is designed to help ensure fans can take in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals "in a safe manner," Bond said.
"We are aware of the inconvenience for customers and the impact on the businesses that must close early," the statement continued. "However, protecting public safety must be our overriding concern."
Similar restrictions were instituted in Vancouver during the Olympic Winter Games last year. Under B.C. law, conditions can be placed on liquor licenses if they're deemed to be in the public interest.
Police said they poured out more than 3,000 liquor bottles in downtown Vancouver after Friday night's game, which the Canucks won.
The team is now on the road, due to face off against the Bruins at 8 p.m. ET.
The Canucks lead the series 3-2, and city officials are anticipating that more than 100,000 people will gather downtown to see whether the team can clinch the Stanley Cup for the first time in the franchise's history.
