Canucks fans in ‘Fire Gillis’ shirts kicked off arena plaza

Canucks fans hand out ‘Fire Gillis' T-shirts A number of frustrated fans were escorted off the plaza of Rogers Arena for handing out tshirts criticizing the Canucks’ management.

Frustrated Canucks fans sporting “Fire Gillis” T-shirts were escorted off Rogers Arena plaza by security guards before Tuesday night’s game.

The three men were also demonstrating against team president Mike Gillis by hoisting signs with his face on fire and handing out free shirts to passersby.

Fan anger has been mounting throughout team’s disappointing season, which left them with just 0.5 per cent chance of making the playoffs leading into Tuesday’s game against the New York Rangers.

The Canucks lost 3-1.

Many have blamed the team’s collapse squarely on Gillis, who traded both of the Canucks’ star goalies, Cory Schneider and Roberto Luongo.

The hashtag #FireGillis has trended on Twitter repeatedly since the Luongo trade in March and a Fire Mike Gillis Facebook group has amassed more than 3,300 followers.

Coach John Tortorella has also taken heat since the season went south from fans using the #FireTorts hashtag.

The Canucks still haven’t been mathematically eliminated from the post-season, but sit six points behind the Dallas Stars for the last wild-card berth with just five games left.