It has been over 15 years since I have seen a hockey game in Montreal. I vowed never to return after the Habs moved out of the historic Montreal Forum and after the incident on December 2, 1995 between Patrick Roy, my favorite NHL player of all time, and the team coach and team management.
For those of you who do not know, Patrick Roy was the star goalie of the Montreal Canadians in the early 90s, winning two Stanley Cups with the team. Then on December 2, 1995 he had a meltdown in net. I don’t remember the official statistics anymore, but they Detroit Red Wings scored something like 9 goals on him on 25 shots. Unheard of, especially for such a legendary goalie like Roy. His head was not in the game and he asked to be taken out. He was not. Each save, and there were few of them, the fans jeered him. When they finally pulled him, Roy was furious and walked past the team president and coach and said “I have played my last game as a Montreal Canadian.” A few day later he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche and the Avs won the Stanley Cup that season and Roy helped them win another a few years later. The Habs have won nothing since, having advanced in the playoffs only 4 times since that trade. ESPN calls it the worst trade in the history of the HNL.
Well they did make up. The Habs did retire #33 just two weeks ago on November 22nd, 2008. I decided it was time to go see hockey in Montreal, 13 years to the day of the “incident”. For starters, the Bell Centre is right outside my hotel, here is the photo from my room. How could I resist?
Fellow Everest trekker Richard, and fellow conference speakers Tim, Beth, Gary, and Alan and I bought $100 scalped tickets and headed to the Bell Centre. The first thing I noticed was how big it was, the upper deck seats start above the second illuminated row in the photo below, where other hockey arenas stop.
I of course went to pay homage to Patrick Roy’s retired number before the game started.
After we ate French Canadian hot dogs and pizza as well went to buy some hats (I got a Roy hat) and stuff the game was ready to start. The first thing that I noticed was that everything was in French. (Well, duh.) Second when they sang the national anthems, the US went first and then the Canadian national anthem went and it was sang in French and everyone in the stadium sang along. It was an amazing sight. (Even Richard got into the spirit, but he sang along in English since he is from BC.)
This is a place to watch hockey! The fans really make the game. The size of the arena must be intimidating for smaller market teams. Barry from Toronto swears that the new arena in Toronto is bigger, I disagree. (Google confirms: Bell 21,273, Air Canada Centre: 19,000.) Barry out of respect to the Habs in their own house will remain neutral since he is a Leafs fan of course.
The Habs jumped out to a quick lead playing good hockey and executed well. They had a 3-0 lead after the second period. A 4th goal was called back at some point and a chant (in English) of “The Ref Sucks” was awesome.
After the third period started the Thrashers (visiting from Atlanta) scored a goal and the “charge!” music was playing and I asked out loud: “How to you say Charge! in French?” The guy in the row in front of me said: “Charge!” The Thrashers got a very quick 2nd goal and I was commenting that maybe we can see a shootout.
Oddly, the Habs fans chant “Ole, Ole, Ole” like it was soccer. I said wrong sport and wrong language.
Next, the Thrasher score very late in the 3rd period making it 3-3. My hopes for an overtime shootout are now becoming reality. Richard just rolls his eyes at the Habs. The Bell Centre becomes quiet, but the fans never lose faith. Massive “Go Habs Go!” chants start.
The Habs score a goal with about 4 minutes to play making it 4-3. We figure it will hold. The Thrashers pull the goalie with 1 minute to play. The Habs get a very difficult empty netter with 41 seconds to go.
Game over, right? Well no, the Thrashers refuse to die and score 20 seconds later! making it 5-4! Six goals in the last period, double the whole game thus far! And like 4 goals in the final few minutes!!
Luckily the Habs clear the puck after losing the face off and win the game. We go out for the famous Montreal “smoked meat” and beer at the local pub. The beautiful waitress loves Patrick Roy and tells me she owns a gun (I think she is lying about the gun part to scare us away). She says that she had a photo taken on Patrick Roy’s lap when she was 7. I try to use that to my advantage to get her to take a photo on my lap (sorry Kathleen!) but settle for a photo with her wearing my Patrick Roy hat. A fun end to a great evening at the Bell Center!
Posted by Steve in Montreal, Canada.