We dedicate this edition of the Hidden Game — the first this season — to those diehard fans, many of whom actually paid hundreds of dollars for a pair of tickets, to watch exhibition hockey with only a handful of legitimate NHL players scattered throughout both rosters.
Two things jumped out at us: Philadelphia head coach John Tortorella wasn’t even behind the bench for this exercise, choosing instead to watch the game from a suite upstairs. And, we’ve never seen so many children in the stands for a weeknight game.
We understand parents not being able to afford a babysitter when the tickets are so expensive. However, doesn’t homework exist any longer in the public school system? If only this scenario existed during our time.
He’s got a backbone, if nothing else: The Canadiens’ Lucas Condotta came to Adam Engstrom’s defence in the game’s opening minute, seeking retribution against Flyers tough guy Nicolas Deslauriers. Condotta drew a double minor for roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct, but hopefully high praise from head coach Martin St. Louis.
Isn’t technology great: That new Bell Centre scoreboard? The one that weighs 30 tonnes? Price undisclosed? The penalty clock wasn’t working early in the match, forcing public-address announcer Michel Lacroix, every 30 seconds, to proclaim how much time remained in Condotta’s minor.
Stop us if you’ve heard this before: The Canadiens were notoriously slow starters last season. And they didn’t register their first shot until the game’s sixth minute — a backhand effort by Emil Heineman. We know, it’s only exhibition season.
Biggest first-period cheer: It came in the seventh minute for Patrik Laine, making his Canadiens debut, and followed a nice solo effort.
Hit of the night:Kirby Dach, playing his first game since suffering a season-ending knee injury last Oct. 14 in the second game of the season, levelled Olle Lycksell midway through the opening period.
Next time, decline the penalty: The Canadiens had a two-man advantage for a full two minutes in the first period after Anthony Richard and Ronnie Attard were dispatched to the box. Montreal generated one shot.
Best two minutes spent in the box: After they emerged from purgatory, Richard set up Attard, the forwards on a two-man break. The snap shot was stopped by Cayden Primeau.
Strange, but true: Yes, that was Josh Anderson killing penalties for the Canadiens. Anderson spent the grand total of 4:36 all of last season on the ice when Montreal was shorthanded.
A goalie’s best friend: In the sixth minute of the second period, Primeau got a piece of a Tyson Foerster shot that then deflected off the post. Some six minutes later Richard, who spent considerable time playing for the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate in Laval, also struck iron. We remember when Patrick Roy used to talk to his posts. Kids, ask your parents for an explanation.
If only he can remain healthy: Dach had a game. In the second period alone he hit the post in the seventh minute. Then, four minutes later, he was denied again before shooting wide seconds later. At 6-foot-4 and 221 pounds we’ll dare say the 23-year-old can help this team.
Giveaway of the night: Attard lost the puck to Jared Davidson, who then fed Luke Tuch for Montreal’s opening goal, at 8:17 of the second period.
Pass of the night (Part I): As the second period came to a conclusion, and with the Canadiens on the power play, Alex Newhook’s cross-ice saucer pass found Laine’s stick. But he couldn’t beat Cal Petersen.
That must have been some dressing-room speech: The Canadiens scored three goals in the third period on three successive shots against the beleaguered Petersen. The goals, from David Savard, Heineman and Anderson — in that order — came in a span of 2:33.
Pass of the night (Part II): Joshua Roy to Anderson on the fourth goal. Roy looks like he’s going to develop into a bonafide NHL player. And future star.
Pass of the night (Part III): Heineman went around the net, then found Alex Barré-Boulet on the lip of the crease to complete the scoring.
Stats of the night: Laine led all Montreal players with five shots. Meanwhile, the Flyers’ defence tandem of Attard and Louie Belpedio shared the clubhouse lead, both players at minus-3. With four goals allowed on 12 shots, Petersen’s save percentage was .667.
They said it: “It was great. It was fun to hear,” Laine said of his early ovation. “I couldn’t do anything with (the puck). Hopefully next time I’ll try to do something with the puck after.”
“There are definitely some things I want to shake off rust-wise — the feel of the puck and feel of the play,” Dach said. “I’m kind of happy with where I’m at with my progress. I definitely feel (rusty) in my hands and maybe a little bit in my feet.”
“I feel like being around these great players makes it easy for sure,” said 20-year-old defenceman Lane Hutson, who had an assist, two shots, a block, a hit and three takeaways in 21:19 of ice time — the most of any Canadiens player. “It’s exciting times right now.”