2023-02-12 08:00:00
MONTREAL – A difficult followingnoon had just ended for the Oilers at the Bell Centre. Heads down, the visitors left the team bench one by one to cross the icy surface and retreat to their locker room.
At a good distance from the peloton, Vincent Desharnais let himself slide without haste, scanning the red immensity that surrounded him. His first game at home, in a National League uniform, was now history and he wanted to keep every little memory of it.
“You never know what will happen in life, recognized the gentle giant following removing his equipment. This might have been my last game here, my last game ever! We never know. I wanted to take a little five or ten seconds to appreciate what I had just experienced. Despite the defeat, I am still proud of my progress. »
And for good reason. Desharnais’ story has been well documented in our pages. Drafted at age 20, he played four seasons with the Providence University Friars before turning pro. He continued his career in the ECHL, then played two full seasons in the American League. He suffered numerous injuries and battled anxiety and depression.
A month ago, he got the call expected by all minor circuit players. At 26, he had made his way to the NHL. Sunday’s game was his twelfth with the Oilers.
In his ideal world, Desharnais would probably have scored a goal, his first in the NHL, once morest the Canadiens. He would also have helped his team to a tenth victory in twelve games. That’s not really how it happened. His team was downgraded and lost 6-2.
Desharnais wasn’t in too much of a mood to break out the fiddle following the loss, but following a few questions, a quiet smile appeared on his lips.
“Just hearing the voice of Michel Lacroix, I found it quite special, he ended up admitting. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard his voice in my living room while watching a Canadiens game. I grew up with him. There were times during the game or the warm-up that gave me a smile. It was special. »
In his role, the great defender played an important role in the performance of his team. In the second period, while the Canadian was playing with a three-goal lead, the Lavallois got shocked and decided to go into the pile during a scuffle in front of Jake Allen’s net. He found a dance partner in Arber Xhekaj. The two giants fought a furious fight from which the crowd favorite emerged with a shoulder injury.
“We were losing by three goals and I was looking to create a spark. I know Xhekaj is very tough, I know his reputation. He fought once morest strong men, he took a lot of the most tough. He’s doing well, he’s solid. But whether it was Xhekaj or Anderson, I wanted to provide a spark and bring emotion. I didn’t give him much choice. »
Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft had good words for his defenseman, being careful to point out that it would be a mistake to reduce him to a badass profile. It was also the first time that Desharnais threw down the gloves since his recall to the big leagues.
“I see here the same thing he showed me in the American League. It brings weight and long reach to the blue line. He plays in a simple way without straying from what makes him successful. He is comfortable in his skin and even if he is able to defend himself, it is not his main quality. He knows how to use his stick to defend effectively, he does the job shorthanded and if a situation arises where he has to throw away the gloves, he can do it. But he was very good. It’s the first time we’ve lost in regulation time since he’s been with us. That says a lot regarding his contribution. »
The Oilers had seven defensemen in uniform on Sunday. Desharnais was the least used of the lot, with Cody Ceci and him settling for just under 14 minutes of playing time.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Oilers find themselves at the center of several rumors. Adding a defender would be part of their plans. Erik Karlsson’s name has recently come up. At the start of the season, they were given an interest in Joel Edmundson. Desharnais’ role might be called upon to change by the end of the season if general manager Ken Holland decides to seek reinforcements from his squad.
For now, these speculations do not affect his thoughts.
“I don’t control that. The Oilers can trade anyone, they can also choose to trade me. For now, when they tell me to arrive at one o’clock, I arrive at this time. As hard as it can be for stability, I don’t want to rack my brains. I’ve been waiting for this moment for ten years. I won’t get nervous because of the trading period. »
1688910454
#NHL #loss #lasting #memory #Vincent #Desharnais
