Juraj Slafkovsky’s reaction was worth gold. We start the question by reminding him that the Canadian will play Monday’s game against the Seattle Kraken with his third jersey, the retro blue vest that the team has already worn for three games this season.
“But why? he answers tit for tat, with the tone of the teenager who is asked to sweep up the crumbs of Doritos that are strewn on the floor of his room.
One can understand Slafkovsky’s reaction. First because at 18, he is not very far from still being a teenager. Then, because in his eyes, the reasons for his dissatisfaction are legitimate.
“I don’t like those sweaters. They are beautiful, but we are unlucky when we wear them. I would rather play in red, but I guess we have no choice! “reasoned the great striker.
Slafkovsky is in tune with the team’s most superstitious supporters, many of whom wrote to us for the Le Club column, asking us to compile the CH record in retro jerseys, sometimes indignantly.
This season, the Canadian is showing a record of 0-3-0 with his sky blue retro jersey. Something to add realism to the tribute to the mediocre Expos of 1991. The team also suffered a few beatings, losing all three games by an aggregate score of 14-5.
November 15: 5-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils
December 10: 4-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings
December 15: 5-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks
People can say what they want, I don’t care, it has nothing to do.
Jake Allen
However, the goalkeeper would have reason to be even more scalded than Slafkovsky, because he was part of the Canadian edition of the shortened 2021 season. That year, a royal blue jersey had been retained – think of the Winnipeg Jets of the beautiful years of Laurie Boschman – and he hardly smiled at the Habs anymore. In six games in blue, Montreal had won only one victory (1-4-1) and had been shut out twice. Total score of these six matches: 24-13 for the opponent.
Jake Evans was already with the Canadian for the retro jerseys two years ago. “I’m not a superstitious guy,” he says. I have no opinion on sweaters. These losses are pure coincidences. I hope we will win and it will spoil your article! »
Centenary Memories
These results brought back painful memories for some of the centennial celebrations, when the Canadiens wore various retro jerseys as a nod to the team’s early years. Among these sweaters, the so-called “barber’s” sweater had been associated with bad luck.
PHOTO BERNARD BRAULT, PRESS ARCHIVES
The Canadiens players and the so-called “barber’s” jersey in 2009
Everyone obviously has in mind the match of 1er February 2009. Not only did the Canadian lose 3-1 to the Boston Bruins, but Robert Lang and Guillaume Latendresse were also injured. For Lang, it was the end of his brief Montreal adventure, since his injury (a severed tendon) meant the end of his season. As for Latendresse, his shoulder injury would cause him to miss a month and a half of action.
Alex Kovalev was also benched for part of the game and played just 11 minutes, by far his lowest time of use of the season.
“Robert Lang played good hockey Christie, he was a great guy,” recalls Patrice Brisebois, member of this 2008-2009 edition of the Habs.
“Everyone is talking about sweaters… Is it really the sweater that makes the difference?” Me, it was my last year. I loved that, it was the story of the Canadiens, it was where we were starting from. It was an honor. »
According to our research, confirmed by specialized historian Carl Lavigne, this jersey from the 1912-1913 season was worn only twice. The second time was October 31, 2009, and the Habs beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4. But the jersey was “criticized by many because of the difficulty in discerning the names of the players on the back,” recalls Lavigne. In short, success or not, this vest left with two holds against him.
After Monday’s game, the Canadian will have four other duels to play in powder blue, on January 19, 26 and 31, as well as February 11. These jerseys are the product of an NHL initiative, and teams are required to play between two and eight games in these jerseys. The CH opted for the maximum allowed.
“It would be easy to use the jersey as an excuse,” adds Brisebois. If they lose with the blue jersey, it’s not the jersey’s fault. They are super beautiful as well. It’s just because they are worse than the other team! »