Nearly thirty years after the Forum’s closure, the Bell Centre echoed its legacy as the Canadiens staged a thrilling comeback against the Panthers. With only seconds remaining, Nick Suzuki scored a tying goal and then clinched victory in overtime. Coach Martin St-Louis praised the team’s resilience, noting their ability to rally from behind for the tenth time this season. Players highlighted their calmness and trust in each other as key factors in their successful comebacks.
Echoes of the Past Resound at the Bell Centre
Nearly three decades after the historic Forum closed its doors, the spirit of that iconic venue lingered in the air at the Bell Centre on Tuesday night.
As the clock ticked down to just 30 seconds remaining, the Canadiens faced a crucial faceoff in their own zone. They skillfully maneuvered the puck out, and Lane Hutson seized a bouncing puck at the blue line, firing a shot towards the Panthers’ net. Nick Suzuki then took control and, with only 9 seconds left, he netted the tying goal. In thrilling fashion, the captain clinched the victory with a goal just 30 seconds into overtime.
Whether Martin St-Louis is a man of faith is uncertain, but the mystical energy was palpable when Suzuki scored his second goal.
“Is there someone up there helping us? I’m not sure, but I believe my mom is guiding me. It was a deeply emotional finish to the game,” he shared.
Unyielding Composure
Suzuki showcased remarkable composure, particularly with his first goal that leveled the score at 2-2.
“He leads by example, played a phenomenal game, and delivered spectacular plays on the ice,” St-Louis remarked about his captain, highlighting his superior mental acuity.
Brendan Gallagher also praised his teammate, drawing a parallel to a renowned Quebec player known for clutch performances.
“In the early days of my career, I played alongside Daniel Brière, who had a knack for scoring pivotal goals. I see similarities in their calm demeanor and their ability to consistently make the right plays,” Gallagher noted.
St-Louis’ Admiration
Martin St-Louis expressed his admiration for the resilience his team displayed in the lead-up to the tying goal.
“What truly astounds me is that the players were on the ice for nearly two minutes, and I couldn’t call a timeout due to a delayed offside. They found a way to dig deep, win a crucial battle in the defensive zone, and Nick skated the full length to position himself perfectly for the rebound,” St-Louis explained.
In light of the team’s struggle for playoff positioning, he recognized the significance of this particular win.
“Would you consider this your biggest victory as a coach?” a reporter inquired.
“Absolutely, especially given how it unfolded,” he replied.
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
This marks the tenth time this season that the Canadiens have rallied from behind in the third period to secure crucial points, boasting a record of 7-24-3 when trailing after two periods. Remarkably, all ten of these comebacks have occurred since December 31.
“It’s impressive not just to escape our zone, but to transition and create scoring opportunities. It’s truly commendable,” Samuel Montembeault remarked. “Perhaps we were missing that ability to clinch crucial goals, but we certainly achieved that tonight.”
What has been the secret to their success in mounting such comebacks in the final period?
“We remain calm, trusting in our abilities, and we know we can always find a way to get it done,” Lane Hutson stated, who contributed an assist on all three goals for the Tricolore.