Connor Bedard had been warned. Luke Richardson, his coach, had warned him of the atmosphere that was likely to reign inside the Bell Center for this opening match for the Canadian. What he didn’t expect, however, was to receive a shower of boos every time he touched the puck.
Photo Martin Chevalier
“I loved it. It was fantastic,” said the young Blackhawks star.
Let’s say that the Canadiens’ fans had more than their chance to make their presence felt with the 18-year-old athlete. Bedard was on the ice for 23:02, firing 12 shots toward Samuel Montembeault’s net.
“I haven’t accomplished anything yet (in the NHL), but I guess it’s a good sign,” he added. When the crowd is into it, it makes the match even more enjoyable.”
If some found it inappropriate that such a fate was reserved for the very first choice of the last draft, Richardson, who occupied the position of assistant behind the Habs bench for four seasons, did not make too much of it.
“It’s one of the most hockey-savvy crowds in the world. Spectators do this to help their team. It’s part of the game. I’m sure he had fun with it, he argued. Besides, I am convinced that they encouraged him last year at the World Junior Championship.”
Bedard responded at the very end of the game by being an accomplice to Tyler Johnson’s second goal. At the same time, he became the third Blackhawks player in the last 31 seasons to register a point in each of his first three games. Jan Ruutta (three games in 2017-2018) was the last. Jonathan Toews is the other. In 2007-2008, he stretched this streak over 10 games.
Warm welcome for Perry
For his part, Corey Perry was able to realize that the Canadian’s supporters had not forgotten his time with the Canadian, even if it was brief. At the end of the warm-up period, true to form, he threw a puck into the enemy net (that of the Habs). While normally this gesture would have aroused the discontent of the crowd, this time they applauded him wildly.
The reaction was the same when Michel Lacroix announced his presence in the Hawks’ starting lineup.
“It was a pleasant moment. We had a good run when I was here. It was exciting, recalled Perry, who wore the Canadian uniform during the 2020-2021 campaign. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances (COVID), we were not able to play in front of the fans.
“Despite everything, I will never forget that I played for the team that I loved in my childhood and that I reached the Stanley Cup final with them,” added the Ontarian before taking the road showers.