Spotted on CBCNews.ca: More audience response to the Vancouver riots

The so-called kissing couple is shown embracing on a Vancouver street as riot police battled overzealous Canucks fans following their Stanley Cup loss. (Rich Lam/Getty Images)

After the streets of Vancouver erupted in riots Wednesday night following the Canucks' loss in the Stanley Cup Final, the CBC News community members reacted with surprise and even anger about the riots.

In the wake of the riots, however, some happier stories began to emerge: the first involving a couple glimpsed kissing amidst the chaos Wednesday night.   

The "kissing couple," as they quickly became known, was identified as Australian Scott Jones and his Canadian girlfriend Alex Thomas. The two were snapped in an embrace between two lines of riot police - and almost immediately captured the attention of hundreds around the world.

The story has prompted much upbeat discussion among CBC News community members ever since.

• "Well at least SOMEONE in Vancouver is scoring on the road," joked Throwdown in O-Town.

• "What's a bit of aggro to an Aussie. Welcome to Vancouver, mate!," wrote wontquit.

• "Personally, I would rather see pictures of that than pictures of all of the idiotic destruction. Kudos to both of you for finding a way to lighten things up," IN-TROUBLE-AGAIN added.

Many commenters echoed IN-TROUBLE-AGAIN's sentiments - thanking the couple for providing a peaceful image on a night filled violence.

• "It was a moment of passion caught in a storm of hatred. I think it's cute. It is, by far, my favorite post game picture," observed ServingU.

• "Sometimes amidst the violence and chaos, something good and heart warming can happen and it all starts with L-O-V-E," wrote Halcyon Daze.

While the story inspired mostly positive feedback, some audience members felt the media attention being showered on the couple was unwarranted.

•  "Alas, the people who donate their time to help clean up will remain anonymous," mused Dalek Prime.

• "I say the attention should go to the brave few who tried to stop or block the violence and destruction," wrote MisterPG. "The CBC has shown clips of an incredibly brave young woman who tried to stop further damage to a car that wasn't even hers. And a couple of guys protecting a store window. These people are the face of civilization and they should be celebrated."

Many CBC audience echoed that sentiment in a story about an unknown man who behaved like a hero during Wednesday's riots.

• "Dear hero. You have truly demonstrated responsibility and a strong defiance of human tendency to be a bystander. You deserve recognition beyond the media," wrote lilrickster.

• "Thank you Man in Black, and Canucks Jersey guy. I hope you are recognized and honoured in some way, by either the city, or the business that you tried to help. Man in Orange who helped the Man in Black, thank you too. I only hope, that had I been there, I would have had the same courage that you all showed," added lemort_1.

•  "This man, and the many others showed great courage in protecting other people and property from rioters," remarked Hadron.

• He's not the only one. The CBC showed one brave young woman obstructing rioters from further damaging a vehicle, not even hers. We should find every one of these people we can and recognize and celebrate them," wrote MisterPG.

An item about the brave people who stepped up to protect the property of strangers on Wednesday night inspired a similar outpouring:

• "Wouldn't it be nice if the city honoured these heroes by presenting them with something special, such as a key to the city or another honour?," asked Morrison1. "While it's very discouraging to see what a group of louts did to the city, we should take the time to properly thank those who did the right thing (or at least tried to, against an unruly mob)."

•  "These heroes need to be recognized by the City of Vancouver and the Province of B.C." added Angus63.

• "Courage is not standing up when you are unafraid. It is standing up even though you are. The people in this video have real courage. Watching the riots on television made me ashamed of being a Canadian, but watching these people try to stop the violence makes me realize just who the real Canadians are in this story. It is not the people rioting for a hockey team. Its those brave individuals trying to stop them. Thank you for making Canada proud," said skarak.

• "I want to thank the people who made the right decision to stand up, risk their lives, and protect the city of Vancouver. To me you guys are heroes and should be recognized around the province for what life threatening decisions you made. I'm happy to be a Vancouverite," add yujinaji.

Louise Lathey echoed the sentiments of many community members when she sent this heartfelt email from Vancouver:

"Can you try to [emphasize] the fact that the people who destroyed our city do not represent Vancouver - the ones who came after to help fix it ARE Vancouver.

"All the boarded up windows are covered in messages of love and hope. I even witnessed and joined in, people leaving notes on VPD cars saying thank you.

"We need to start showing the world that Vancouver isn't an angry city, we love our city and the people who destroyed it after the Canucks game are not Vancouverites."

Thanks to everyone who took the time to contribute such thoughtful feedback to these stories.