Despite two consecutive losses and a plane that landed in the early hours of the morning, the Canadiens’ players had a smile on their face to meet their young fans on Sunday morning as part of the team’s skills competition.
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Several minutes after the end of this public training, which was back on the schedule after two years of absence due to the pandemic, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard couldn’t stop smiling.
The small forward has impressed since his recall with seven goals in 12 games and he proved he had the compass in his eye, needing only four shots to hit all four targets in just 9.311 seconds during the accuracy test.
An even better performance than that of Connor McDavid at the last NHL All-Star Weekend. Earlier this month in Florida, the Edmonton Oilers star had a four-for-four in 9.497 s.
” I did not expect that [battre McDavid] and I was even a little stressed, because if you miss a couple in a row, you look a little bad. But in the end, it went really well,” mentioned Harvey-Pinard, who beat Justin Barron (9.603 s), who has nothing to be ashamed of with his performance.
It changes your mind
“It’s always surprising to see how much the supporters are present, he added “RHP”. It’s a Sunday morning and it’s just one and a half hours, but they come to see us and the Bell Center is full. It’s also good for the players. […] It changes our minds a bit, we did not have an excellent performance against Toronto [défaite de 5 à 1 samedi]. »
Photo Martin Alarie
Alex Belzile was just as smiling as the fans present at the Bell Center this Sunday.
Harvey-Pinard was not the only Quebecer to shine. Alex Belzile took advantage of the absence of several injured players, including Cole Caufield — who was however at the Bell Center with other cripples — to surprise and win the title of fastest skater. The American League veteran circled the ice in 13.744 s, narrowly edging out defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic (13.908 s).
“I ate two bacon eggs this morning! Belzile said in the middle of the rink by way of explanation. I don’t really have a technique, I just pushed and it worked. »
“I think he was surprised himself,” Harvey-Pinard said. He said it was his best trick ever! »
Matheson’s Power
For his part, Kovacevic teased Belzile by wondering if he hadn’t cheated a little, having started before the red line. But according to the rules displayed on the bulletin board, he could do so.
Photo Martin Alarie
Justin Barron and Johnathan Kovacevic looked like they were having a lot of fun.
“I was in shock when I learned yesterday that I was taking part in the speed test,” said Kovacevic. I don’t know who picked the 6’5″ guy for this race! And I learned this morning [hier] that I was going to take part in the most powerful shot. The energy of the crowd helped me. »
The defender did well with two shots over 100 miles per hour, as did Michael Pezzetta. But it was Quebecer Mike Matheson who triumphed with a shot at 100.9 mph.
“It’s the first time that the speed of my shot has been measured. Maybe next year I’ll hit 102! said Kovacevic, who also did very well in the continuous shootout. Maybe a new option for Martin St-Louis in the shootout?
It was finally Chris Wideman who won the honors of this competition against substitute goalkeepers. Samuel Montembeault and Jake Allen participated in training on skates only, wanting to avoid injuries. Allen also did well on precision shots — doing better than Nick Suzuki and Josh Anderson — as well as on breakaways.
The happiness of children
Whether it’s an affordable family outing like for Naël Rifani, 2, or for Samuel Moffatt, 7, and Léo Pilote, 11, who accompanied the Tornades de Villeray atom C, the CH skills competitions attract many young people amateurs who often see their idols for the first time.
“From birth, he was registered with the Canadian fan club, so he is already a big fan,” said Ahmad Rifani, Naël’s father. He recognizes the CH logo everywhere. »
“If we could have a Canadiens jersey, we would take one from Cole Caufield,” wished Samuel and Léo.
Photo Martin Alarie
This amateur was a winner by exchanging his mini stick for one of Habs captain Nick Suzuki.
The latter, however, specified that “Nick Suzuki was the best, because he went to the all-star game”.
Numbers 14 and 22 were the most popular Sunday at the Bell Center.
Photo Mylene Richard
Dany Ruccolo, Annie Martineau, Daniel Martineau and youngsters Gabriel and Eloan Ruccolo attended the Canadiens skills competition at the Bell Centre.
“I’m a little sad that Caufield isn’t on the ice, because he’s my favorite player,” said young Gabriel Rucculo, whose mother, Annie Martineau, has regained a taste for hockey thanks to the two CH stars.
Not a first
Like Gabriel and her brother Eloan, Amélia Tétrault was not on her first visit to the Bell Center.
“I have already witnessed a victory for the Canadiens against the Calgary Flames. I like it, but let’s say that my dad Maxime is more of a fan than me. He watches a lot of hockey on TV! »
Photo Martin Alarie
It is said that the apple does not fall very far from the tree. This is what fans could see by seeing the speed with which Brysen Byron, Paul’s son, skated.
♦ Paul Byron’s son, Brysen, thrilled the crowd by competing in the fastest skater event, as well as the shootout with assistant coach Alexandre Burrows’ son, Jacob.
♦ Glass windows had been removed so that fans could be even closer to the players. Alex Belzile and Mike Matheson were still signing autographs more than 45 minutes after the contest ended.