List of Violent Spectator Incidents in Sports - 1955

1955

• January 22 – During a game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings at Maple Leaf Gardens, Red Wings forward Ted Lindsay leaned over the glass and struck a drunk Maple Leafs fan with his stick after the fan had scuffled with and spilled beer over teammate Gordie Howe. Lindsay was given a match penalty and suspended for five games for the incident.
• March 10 – At the end of a scoreless tie game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Montreal Forum, fans threw garbage onto the ice and at Leafs players and officials to protest Toronto's defensive style. A new ice cleaner and resurfacer, the Zamboni, was used for the first time in this game.

• March 17 – Midway into the first period of a game at the Montreal Forum between the Montreal Canadiens and the Detroit Red Wings, Canadiens fans, outraged at the remainder of the season suspension handed to superstar Maurice "Rocket" Richard for knocking out linesman Cliff Thompson during a fight in a March 13 game, pelted Red Wings players, officials, and NHL President Clarence Campbell and his fiancee with debris as the Red Wings built up a 4–1 lead. After police set off a tear gas bomb inside the Forum and ordered a total evacuation, a furious and bloodied Campbell ruled the game a forfeit to the Red Wings. Further information: Richard Riot