Montreal Canadiens: December 2 A Significant Date For The Worst Reasons

The Montreal Canadiens have had a couple of significant events happen on December 2 over the years. Today’s date  marks eight years since Jean Beliveau’s passing. Patrick Roy also played his final game with the Canadiens, transpiring from an 11-1 defeat at the hands of the Detroit Red Wings on this day in 1995.

The rest is history, both literally and figuratively. Roy was embarrassed surrendering nine goals on 26 shots in total. Tempers boiled over during the second period, down 7-1 Roy skated to the bench during a stoppage and told the Habs owner that he was finished in Montreal.

He and head coach Mario Tremblay had a strained relationship dating back to their time as teammates. Roy was none too pleased, and to increase his dislike for Tremblay further, the latter left him in for nine goals before pulling him. Perhaps one of the biggest screw-ups in Canadiens’ history was the hiring of Tremblay, it sent Roy out the door, with new ventures awaiting.

Unfortunately for the Canadiens, Roy’s new venture came with the Colorado Avalanche. The Aves were loaded with stars, Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Milan Hejduk, Rob Blake and Adam Foote, to name a few. Roy was the cherry on top, a two-time Stanley Cup-winning goaltender to backstop the star-studded Avalanche.

And backstop he did, Roy brought the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup final in his first season with the team. The Aves won, and it was an iconic moment, and a slap in the face to the Habs and Tremblay. Now with three Stanley Cups under his belt, Roy was in his glory, and not finished yet.

In 2000-01 Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils stood in the way of Roy and the Avalanche. A battle of the Quebec-born goaltenders, and Marty got to battle in a seven-game series against his childhood hockey hero, St. Patrick. The pair duelled, with Roy getting the last laugh, with his fourth ring and third Conn Smythe trophy.

Eight years have passed since the depth of the consummate gentleman, whose number four hangs from the Bell Centre rafters.

Beliveau was built like a linebacker, but mistaking him for one would result in the big man dashing away with the puck. The 6’3” 205 lbs centre was exactly what every team seeks in a centre, someone who is huge, but has the skills to not rely on physical play.

Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972, Beliveau also had his jersey number retired by the Canadiens on October 9, 1971. Beliveau’s name is sketched on the Stanley Cup, a record 17 times, seven of which, came as an executive for the team. This means that Beliveau won his first Stanley Cup in 1955-56, and his last as a player in 1970-71, all before Roy ever pulled on a Canadiens sweater.

The pair intertwined for two cups, with Beliveau as an executive and Roy in the net, in both 1986 and 1993. On this cold winter day, the Habs host the Canadiens from the Bell Centre ice, just like the hockey gods scripted it. Two players remembered for two different reasons, and it all came down to December 2nd.

R.I.P Jean, and thank you for the Stanley Cups, although the Habs are due for another soon. You too, Patrick, your elite goaltending skills will forever be remembered.

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