There is no comparison between sacrificing a life to ensure a country’s freedom and throwing yourself into the fire to help your team achieve a surprising victory.
• Also read: When Montembeault declines an invitation from Swayman
• Also read: Kaiden Guhle decides the debate in extra time
Except that on this day of remembrance it is worth highlighting the dedication of Martin St-Louis’ troops in a seemingly crooked game. In order to surprise the Bruins 3-2 in overtime, Montreal had to invest every ounce of energy they had.
Because beating the Bruins isn’t for everyone. It was only the third defeat – the second in a tiebreaker – for Patrice Bergeron’s former team.
When it comes to sacrifice, Kaiden Guhle is a role model. During a two-man power play by the Bruins, he blocked two of their shots, including a close-range shot from David Pastrnak. Scoring the winning goal was only a fitting response for the defender.
In the same sequence, Johnathan Kovacevic and Christian Dvorak also intervened between the shooter and Samuel Montembeault.
Brendan Gallagher also knows about sacrifice. He spent his evening in the hands of Jeremy Swayman. From there he scored his fifth goal of the season and from there began a battle that ultimately involved everyone on the ice except Montembeault.
“You can’t win with a magic trick. “It has to hurt to get there,” explained the Canadian head coach, visibly satisfied with his team’s performance.
Finally a spark
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A concerted effort that allowed the Habs to end a streak of ten consecutive defeats against their arch-enemies. Boston’s dominance had become so great that the rivalry began to crumble dangerously.
The two goals within 27 seconds that Nick Suzuki and Gallagher scored early in the third period, the few shots on goal after the final whistle and Guhle’s goal in overtime perhaps lit the spark in this flaring rivalry.
At least that’s the happiness we want. Because in terms of rivalry, nothing better has happened since the days of the Nordics. We could have an answer next Saturday when the Habs return the favor to the Bruins and travel to Boston.
Plus, leaving everything on the ice and throwing yourself in front of shots is a page in the Bruins’ culture book. A culture that, as Brad Marchand recalled in the morning, has allowed this team to achieve success since the arrival of Zdeno Chara some fifteen years ago.
The Bruins captain eludes him
Speaking of Marchand, he may have become the captain of the Bruins, but we’re not going to change him. The fiery attacker still has a fiery character. After his team’s training, Jim Montgomery recognized this fact by confirming that Marchand was still filled with the same passion.
A passion that occasionally leads to heated arguments with officials.
“Sometimes he calms down before talking to the referees. Sometimes I’m the one who has to calm him down. It’s weird,” the Bruins head coach sent a few hours before the clash.
The original Montrealer found the situation less funny when his leader warmed up the penalty area for two minutes after voicing his displeasure to Chris Lee.
“This is unforgivable. “The players are there to play, the referees are there to referee,” Montgomery said after the game.
“I thought the call he missed was obvious, but I can’t let my feelings get the better of me,” Marchand argued ruefully.
This shows that even at 35 you can still gain experience.