At the age of 18, I had already experienced ten Stanley Cup parades in the streets of Montreal. That means one, on average, every 20 months of my existence. Someone who is 30 years old today hasn’t seen any. Zero in 360 months on Earth.
In the last century, during the Canadian golf tournament, on the eve of a new season, the players and managers had only one word on their lips: the word that begins with an S. S not like “Series “. S for “Stanley”. Every year, the Canadian aimed for the Stanley Cup.
At the Canadian golf tournament last September, the leaders refused to pronounce the word that begins with a P. P, not like “lose”. P for “Playoffs”. They didn’t want the fans to be too demanding.
In 1989, the Canadian finished the season with a record of 53 wins, 18 losses and 9 ties. In the division semi-final, CH eliminates the Hartford Whalers in four. Then he gets rid of the Boston Bruins in five. In the association final, the Habs got the better of the Philadelphia Flyers in six games.
On May 25, 1989, during the sixth match of the grand final, the Canadian lost the Stanley Cup to the Calgary Flames, who lifted the precious trophy in the Montreal Forum. This is the first time in history that a rival team has committed such sacrilege in the temple of hockey. The fans are disappointed, disgusted, ashamed.
The next day, looking back on the season, instructor Pat Burns, general manager Serge Savard and the players looked sad. The Glorious did not fulfill their mission. They didn’t win the Stanley Cup. There’s nothing to brag about.
Thirty-five years later, on April 16, 2024, the Canadian concluded his season at the Bell Center with a 5-4 defeat against the Detroit Red Wings. The CH is eliminated from the playoffs for a third year in a row. The crowd is standing and applauding their club, generously.
The next day in review of the season, the executive vice-president, Jeff Gorton, the general manager, Kent Hughes, and the players looked happy. The Canadian has an overall record of 30 wins, 36 losses in regulation time and 16 losses in overtime, which places him 28e rank in the overall NHL standings. The team has one less victory than last year, but despite everything, it is said that it has progressed. And that’s true. If you just looked at the numbers, no. If you watched the matches, yes. The Canadian lost better this year than last year. It’s already that.
We even mention the word that starts with an M. The word that starts with an M is like in the alphabet, it comes before the word that starts with a P, “Playoffs”. The M is for “Mixed”. Martin St-Louis said he anticipates that next year the Canadian will be in the mix. Being in the mix means fighting for a spot in the playoffs. That doesn’t mean being in the playoffs. It means getting closer to it. How clever. Pressure, but as little as possible. We add 1 kg dumbbells.
If the players ever become as skillful as their leaders, the team will become invincible. In two and a half years, the new management has completely changed expectations regarding the CH. And it works !
As someone who experienced the good years, I should be devastated to see my favorite team finish at the bottom of the rankings. No way. I enjoyed seeing Suzuki, Caufield and Slafkovsky play together. Finally a first trio! Primeau surprised me between the posts. Montembeault played big matches. I thought Gallagher was finished, he’s not. Matheson is a very good defender in the opposing zone. Guhle, in addition to resembling Tragicomix, Falbala’s lover, in Legionnaire Asterix, has several other qualities. What little we saw of Lane Hutson was very entertaining. In short, I did not turn my back on the Canadian. I’m even looking forward to training camp.
Canadian fans have long been considered the most demanding in the world of sport. Today, they applaud a team that finishes 28e rank.
Canadian fans are good parents. The Canadiens’ fans were demanding of their gifted child capable of great things. Canadian fans are understanding with their developing child. His results are disappointing, but his person is not. His person is filled with good will, so good parents choose to encourage him.
The fans love the Canadian. And they know that to love is to help. And reciprocally.
Gorton and Hughes are great strategists. If they succeed in rebuilding the CH, we should think of them for our health system, our education system and the next referendum.
In the meantime, good series to the fans of the teams who are part of it!