Habs return to habits in Pierrefonds

Die-hard fans of the Montreal Canadiens came out in spades last weekend at the Pierrefonds 4Glaces arena to watch their heroes perform playful one-on-ones on Saturday and a scrimmage Sunday that ended in a 5-4 win for the half of the team consisting of a mix of newcomers such as Thomas Beauregard, Matt D'Agostini and Gregory Stewart.

However it was mostly a friendly affair for the team, out on the ice just as much to practise as to please hundreds of fans who poured into rink-side seats. "It's been my second year (coming to the scrimmage)," said die-hard fan Stéphane Trudel, predicting, like many, that the team has a good chance at the Stanley Cup this season.

One of those lucky enough to obtain game tickets on the Internet when they went on sale at noon last Wednesday, Trudel said the team's newer members are giving everyone hope. "We proved last year that the younger players were ready to play in the league," he said.

He would get to see some of those games thanks to his wife, who was able to cut a few hours of work on Wednesday to acquire some tickets, he said.

As the Habs continued to take their shots at goalies Carey Price and Loic Lacasse on the rink below, Kirkland resident Dominic Durante and his two young daughters tried as best they could to watch from above, their view blocked by a wall of other fans who had made it to the seats before them.

"My daughters are huge fans," he said with a laugh. Durante did not have to plop himself on a seat in front of a computer screen Wednesday for a chance to catch some games. "I have regular-season tickets," he said.

He will even be able to see the already legendary November 22 game where long-time Canadiens goaltender Patrick Roy's number 33 jersey will be retired, raised to the rafters of the Bell Centre to join other such hall-of-fame digits as Larry Robinson's 19 or Bob Gainey's 23.

"It's my wife's birthday (that day)," Durante said with a laugh, adding it was a perfect present.

Some fans came from much further to watch the scrimmage on Saturday. Jean-Sébastien Daigneault made a trip all the way from Mirabel. "You have to come to encourage them," he told The Chronicle, adding the team has a much better chance of at least making finals this season.

Moments of levity were aplenty at the scrimmage on Saturday, some of the youngest fans present slipping through the media-only centre section to hang just above the railways and yelling at their idols to capture their attention.

Another occurred when defenceman Mike Komisarek slipped while trying to hit the puck, fell, and watched one of his gloves sail into the air, as the crowd roared in mock-applause.

The Habs are playing their second pre-season game tonight.

They play their first regular season game on Oct. 10.

Chronicle, Eric Carriere



Chronicle, Nav Pall