Alexander Alain is the only positive for the Canadiens as they fall 2-1 to the Winnipeg Jets

The Montreal Canadiens wrapped up their Rookie Tournament with a loss to the Montreal Canadiens as Alexandre Alain was their sole scorer.

The Montreal Canadiens rookies saw their final game of the Rookie Showcase at CAA Arena this evening vs the rookie Winnipeg Jets.

Cayden Primeau had the start for the Canadiens despite not originally being the player to start in this hockey game against the baby Jets. Gianni Fairbrother had an early scoring chance for the Habs as he made good moves with the puck. Unfortunately, he just could not burry it.

The first period saw the Jets strike first on a goal by Ville Heinola midway in the opening period. The Canadiens responded quite quickly and tied the game up thanks to Alexander Alain as he was able to lift the puck over Griffen Outhouse’s pads.

Montreal’s ineffective powerplay has been a constant all tournament, and it continued in the second period. It had some looks, but they couldn’t buy a goal. Rafael Harvey-Pinard, Nick Suzuki, Ryan Poehling line for the Canadiens made some improvements but failed to score on their chances at the Jets net. Both teams went into the first period even up. 10-9 were shots on goal in favour of the Canadiens through the first twenty minutes.

The second period saw both teams with scoring chances, but no one could find the back of the net. Jonathan Kovacevic broke the game wide open scoring shorthanded goal for the Winnipeg Jets as he beat Cayden Primeau in the face-off circle to give his team the lead. Once again, the Canadiens powerplay was quiet in the second period.

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The third period saw the same end-to-end action from the second period. The Winnipeg Jet rookies really wore out the Hab rookies with constant hitting. It definitely was not the best night for the Poehling, Pinard and Suzuki line for the Canadiens. Otto Leskinen showed he could play in all areas of the game tonight for the Montreal Canadiens and his future with the organization is bright.

Hopefully, the coaching staff can fix that before the pre-season and regular-season starts.

Cale Fleury definitely had a better performance in the game tonight where he was playing better shutdown role for the Canadiens. Cayden Primeau was outstanding in the game for the Canadiens despite giving up the second goal to Jonathan Kovacevic.

Fairbrother ended up leaving the game during the third period. We have no idea the significance to the injury. Luke Green ended up putting a dangerous knee on knee hit on Nick Suzuki in the third period. Winnipeg Jets were playing very physical in this game. Canadiens could not counterattack the physicality of the Jets.

Canadiens will now prepare for their main training camp beginning Thursday, September 12th. The players will report for medical and physical evaluations at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard.

A lot of positives to take into the future for these Montreal Canadien prospects. There is a lot to look forward to this season with Ryan Poehling and Nick Suzuki. You would have to think Poehling and Suzuki will get many games this season with the Montreal Canadiens. I am thinking Nick Suzuki will start his season with the Laval Rocket and eventually get called up to the Canadiens.