Samuel Montembeault said he would do it again.
Although the Canadiens’ first-string goaltender didn’t play — nor did he dress — for any 4 Nations Face-Off games, Montembeault said he would gladly represent Canada again for the experience of practising with, and being around, some of the NHL’s premier players.
Not only that, but Montembeault received a gold medal for his experience — Canada defeating the U.S. 3-2 in the championship game — and got to keep his mask and sweater, the latter signed by his teammates.
“It was such an amazing experience for me, even though I didn’t play,” Montembeault told The Gazette Monday morning, after the Canadiens practised at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard. “Just to be a part of that team and be around those guys. There was some great hockey to watch. Even if I was in the press box I was so happy watching that hockey live.
“Being able to practise with them instead of being on vacation … have a chance to practise with (Connor) McDavid, (Nathan) MacKinnon and (Sidney) Crosby, all those guys. We were champions, too, so it’s great memories for me.”
Montembeault hadn’t been playing particularly well before the break for the competition, with six losses in eight games dating back to Jan. 18. But he stopped 25 shots against Ottawa Saturday night in the Canadiens’ 5-2 victory, and is expected to start again Tuesday, when Montreal entertains Carolina at the Bell Centre (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5FM).
The Canadiens have recalled forward Owen Beck from AHL Laval to replace Kirby Dach (lower-body injury) against the Hurricanes, who are coming off a 6-3 loss at Toronto Saturday night and practised Monday at the Bell Centre. Beck has played six games this season for Montreal, but has been held without a point. Beck has 13 goals and 32 points in 47 games for the Rocket.
Team Canada head coach Jon Cooper said he hoped to get each player into at least one game, but St. Louis’s Jordan Binnington was the only netminder utilized. And although Binnington allowed some questionable goals along the way, he was superb in overtime against the Americans in the title match, proving Cooper prescient.
While Vegas’s Adin Hill was the other goalie on the roster, and dressed as Binnington’s backup for each game, Cooper eschewed selecting Montembeault in the opener, against Sweden, when he might have relied on the player’s familiarity with the Bell Centre.
“I think maybe I didn’t deserve to play because of the way I was playing before the break,” Montembeault admitted. “I was a little inconsistent. I had some good games but some bad ones, too. Binnington’s a guy who has more experience. I think (Cooper) wanted to go with one guy and stick with him. He played well and was absolutely amazing in the overtime.”
Montembeault said he was impressed by the players’ work ethic, especially MacKinnon and Crosby, the first on the ice in Brossard for an optional practice the day after Canada defeated Sweden in overtime. Due to a snowstorm that day, Montembeault said the trip to the South Shore from the team’s downtown hotel took 40 minutes.
“I think that tournament was huge,” Montembeault said. “Obviously it was the first (best-on-best) since 2016. You could tell before the start of that first game, everybody was so excited and couldn’t wait for the game to start. The atmosphere was so nice. And that Saturday game (against the U.S.) was pretty crazy. I’ve never seen the Bell Centre like that; it was pretty sick. It was some great hockey to watch, really intense. And we got the win. That was the cherry on top.”
Although Montembeault surrendered two first-period goals against Ottawa, he said he felt better as the game progressed, not allowing a score over the final 44 minutes. And Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis liked what he saw from all his players as well.
“I like how we were committed to the stuff we talked about leading up to that game,” he said. “You take a break. You reflect and you come up with a plan of attack for what’s next. I felt we did that and were very direct in our actions on the ice. I thought Monty was solid and we didn’t give them much. I like the commitment from the group.”
Missing from Monday’s practice were Josh Anderson and David Savard (therapy day), while Brendan Gallagher was excused for personal reasons.