This afternoon, the Canadiens’ hopefuls were in action at the Bell Centre. For the occasion, they crossed swords with the Maple Leafs.
Here’s what the Habs line-up looked like for the match.
Today’s lineup
Today’s lineup#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/o2vfoXWV6o
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) September 14, 2024
He didn’t belong in this game… because he was too good for a rookie camp game.
do what you have to do, Lane
you do you, Lane#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/hFtkIgIiiB
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) September 14, 2024
And even though he couldn’t score on that first sequence, Hutson still found a way to blacken the score sheet later in the game. A terrific sequence on his part set the table for the Habs’ second goal, scored by Tyler Thorpe.
He didn’t look like a guy who wanted to play in Laval to start the year.
This Hutson kid any good? pic.twitter.com/Xd2pigkJi7
– Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) September 14, 2024
he just won’t quit
no quit in Lane Hutson#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/w15ireW8sJ
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) September 14, 2024
2. Another name we’ve been keeping an eye on is Florian Xhekaj. Obviously, his surname makes him popular around town… but beyond the surname, he has a similar style to his brother in that he’s not afraid to play physical.
More importantly, he’s not afraid to throw down the gloves. Chaz Sharpe understood this, after less than two minutes of play.
Chaz Sharpe and Florian Xhekaj have already dropped the gloves. pic.twitter.com/dTlldMAA6r
– Nick Barden (@nickbarden) September 14, 2024
3. The Habs’ first goal of the game was scored by Adam Engström. The defenseman, who many see as an underrated kid, showed his confidence on the ice.
Adam Engstrom, one of the most underrated Canadiens prospects, ties the game. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/FJk2uYyUzk
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) September 14, 2024
Late in the second, Owen Beck (who played a good game) scored the Habs’ third goal.
He tied the score at 3-3… and let’s talk about that.
Owen Beck puts the puck on net, and good things happen. The Memorial Cup MVP ties the game for the Habs. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/IcSefntuVC
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) September 14, 2024
4. Indiscipline really hurt the Habs in this match. The club took three penalties in the first two periods… and paid for all three.
KRESS pic.twitter.com/hbM6Z09M7P
– Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 14, 2024
POWER PLAY FRASER pic.twitter.com/SR3VspeKl7
– Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 14, 2024
– Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 14, 2024
5. Note that Logan Mailloux wore the C on his jersey for the game. Not necessarily a surprise considering he’s already had a season in the pros behind the tie, but it was a nice vote of confidence in the kid nonetheless.
Owen Beck and Sean Farrell were Mailloux’s two assistants. I can’t wait to see if the letters are distributed to the same players tomorrow.
6. David Reinbacher was a little more self-effacing in this match. Obviously, it’s not a quieter game in a rookie camp that should set alarm bells ringing (especially since he needs to be focused on the real camp), but we didn’t really see it today.
We’ll see if he’s up to a better game tomorrow.
It’s not exactly the same reality as in Buffalo, let’s say. Good for the players who got to experience the Bell Centre.
Look at the crowd at the Buffalo Rookie Tournament. And compare it with the current Centre Bell crowd…
Montreal is something else! #CH #Habs #Canadiens https://t.co/Ctu97hgplk
– Marc-Olivier Beaudoin (@MOBeaudoin1) September 14, 2024
8. Hired on Thursday, Roger Grillo was (already) at the Bell Centre this afternoon to see the Habs’ youngsters in action.
He didn’t waste any time.
Martin St-Louis, Stéphane Robidas and Trevor Letowski were also on hand.
9. I’d be surprised to see him get a contract, but Justin Larose had a good game today. He wasn’t spectacular, but he was effective.
Maybe another good performance tomorrow will make the Habs want to keep him around a little longer…
An assist on the Canadiens’ first goal for Justin Larose! #GoTigresGo https://t.co/cakw51Ucyz
– Victoriaville Tigers (@TigresVicto) September 14, 2024
Lane Hutson had to score to keep the Habs alive… and he did.
Ladies and gentlemen, Lane Hutson: pic.twitter.com/tX9zdF9Ffn
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) September 14, 2024
Extension
– Former Habs prospect Hayden Verbeek was a referee today.
One of the referees for this Canadiens-Leafs prospect game is named Hayden Verbeek. Not sure if it’s the same Hayden Verbeek who was recently in the Canadiens organization as a player, but that would be one hell of a coincidence if it wasn’t.
– Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) September 14, 2024
– Tyler Thorpe is another guy who earned points today. However, he injured his nose late in the game, forcing him to retreat to the locker room.
– Not a bad game for Jared Davidson.
Jared Davidson is an enjoyable player to watch.
Not the fastest, but he has the instincts of a goal scorer and is constantly in a threatening position in the offensive zone.
– Patrick Friolet (@PFrioletRDS) September 14, 2024
– I hardly saw Filip Mesar in this game. He’s going to have to give more if he wants to prove he belongs in the Canadiens’ future plans.
– Seeing a team (the Habs) in their real uniforms against a team (the Maple Leafs) in their practice uniforms is… special. It’s very “rookie camp”, in fact.