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Canadiens vs Nordiques: 38 Years Ago – The Good Friday Massacre

By Patrick Lortie

UNIONDALE, NY - DECEMBER 11: Members of 'Nordiques Nation' cheer during the NHL game between the New York Islanders and the Atlanta Thrashers on December 11, 2010 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. Over 1,100 fans from Quebec attended the game to prove their support for an NHL team. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NY - DECEMBER 11: Members of 'Nordiques Nation' cheer during the NHL game between the New York Islanders and the Atlanta Thrashers on December 11, 2010 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. Over 1,100 fans from Quebec attended the game to prove their support for an NHL team. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Today, former players and fans of both clubs remember the intensity and uneasiness of this battle almost as if it had just happened. The rivalry never reached this point again, but it continued nonetheless the following season when the Nordiques finally toppled the Canadiens in 7 games only to lose to the Flyers in the Conference Finals.

The teams would meet again in the 1987 playoffs where this time Montreal would win in 7. Then came years of rebuild and misery for the Nordiques only to have a blip on the radar when they finally made the playoffs again in 1993, only to lose in the first round to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions – Montreal Canadiens.

The Nordiques would once again fail to make the playoffs the following season, only to finally come back to the playoffs in 94-95 but failed to the New York Rangers in the first round. During that period they did get some sort of redemption, brining back Guy Lafleur to Quebec. Lafleur had just completed his first season with the New York Rangers after unceremoniously being forced to retire during the 84-85 season and taking a three year hiatus.

One for the Ages: Guy Lafleur's 1989-90 NHL Season
One for the Ages: Guy Lafleur's 1989-90 NHL Season /

At the conclusion of the 1995-96 season, Quebec City cried, raged and were left helpless as their beloved team were seen on the ice lifting the Stanley Cup, but as the Colorado Avalanche. Montreal felt similar betrayal as they saw Patrick Roy, who was robbed from them, lift the Stanley Cup for the third time of his career.

When the Avs Brought Home the Cup - 5280
When the Avs Brought Home the Cup - 5280 /

Today, fans young and old still talk about the rivalry. TV shows and movies were written in its honor throughout the decades. It was truly a rare thing that tore fans apart and brought them together all at the same time.

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