Montreal Canadiens: Michael Pezzetta Garners Attention With Dominant Performance

Montreal Canadiens training camp is heading into its second week and there remains more than 60 names on the roster.

Obviously that list will be shortened in relatively quick order, but with six preseason games to play and Laval Rocket camp likely not opening for a few days, there is no rush to start cutting dozens of players.

That leaves the Habs with some names you may not be all that familiar with. Michael Pezzetta did everything he could to ensure he familiarizes himself with Habs fans.

Pezzetta was a 6th round pick of the Canadiens in 2016 after a ten goal and 28 point season for the Sudbury Wolves. It was not his offensive instincts that caught the eye of the Canadiens staff, but more his intangibles. Pezzetta was just 17 at the start of his draft season but he was already wearing an “A” on his sweater.

By his 19 year old season, he was the captain of the team and he would finish that season with 23 goals and 52 points in 62 games.

He then turned pro and has played the past three seasons with the Laval Rocket. In 107 career AHL games, the 6’1″ and 205 pound winger has scored ten goals and 19 points while adding a nastiness and physical edge to the Rocket’s bottom six forward group.

Pezzetta was in the Habs bottom six for their preseason game, and he certainly put his best foot forward.

He didn’t get a lot of ice time in the first period because there were a lot of penalties on both sides. Still, when he did get on the ice he made his presence known by taking a huge run at a Maple Leafs defender and finishing his check behind the net.

In the second period, Pezzetta was parked right at the top of the crease where he can be difficult to move. He provided a screen for a point shot that missed the net and then repositioned to stay in front of Maple Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell. When Jan Mysak fired another shot at the net, Pezzetta quickly got his stick extended and tipped the puck into the net.

Campbell didn’t have a chance with Pezzetta screening him the way he did.

Pezzetta had a couple of great chances to score his second of the game. He made a nice play on a lofted puck to knock it past the Maple Leafs defenders and send himself in alone. Petr Mrazek made a nick glove save on him.

Pezzetta had another chance off a rush and fired a wrist shot that beat the goaltender but ricocheted off the crossbar and out of play.

He finally did score his second of the game into an empty net late in the third period. He pounced on a loose puck and sent it well over 100 feet into the open cage.

Pezzetta may have been one of the most unknown names among those in attendance at camp, he made himself known last night. The 23 year old winger led the team with four shots on goal and five hits in 13:09 of ice time.

He remains a long shot to make the Canadiens roster, but everyone will be keeping a closer eye on how he performs in his next preseason game after a stellar performance last night.