The Montreal Canadiens beat the Carolina Hurricanes 6-0 Friday night at the Pepsi Colisee in Quebec City. The teams played in front of a crowd of 10,139, surprising for a rink that actually holds 15,000. Peter Budaj and Dustin Tokarski shared the shutout with 11 and 13 saves respectively.
Montreal’s offence came from six different players. Veterans PK Subban, Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais scored goals, but so did three very young players, Greg Pateryn, Alex Galchenyuk and Michael Bournival.
For Bournival, it was his third goal of the preseason. After a year in the AHL last year, he feels he is ready to turn pro, but is still getting over the nerves that come with playing for the Habs.
“In the first game I was nervous at the start,” said Bournival. “I’m getting more and more comfortable on the ice as it goes along.”
Bournival also picked up an assist and was named first star of the game. After scoring two goals in his debut a week ago, Bournival is really pushing hard to make the Habs.
But even with the strong play of his young players, Head Coach Michel Therrien made sure to emphasis how well his veterans played too.
“The young players seized the opportunity to show what they can do,” said Therrien. “But it was the veterans who set the tone of the game and that’s positive.”
He especially liked a new defensive pairing that sees PK Subban and Josh Gorges skating together.
“The Desharnais-Pacioretty line was very good at both ends of the ice,” Therrien said. “I also liked P.K. Subban with Josh Gorges, who played well together.”
(Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)
Desharnais and Pacioretty each had two points. For Desharnais, playing in Quebec City was a bit of a homecoming after growing up in nearby Laurier-Station. And he made every moment count.
“I always play well in this rink,” said Desharnais, recalling his days with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the QMJHL. “I have good memories here.”
Desharnais has often been criticized for his small build and strength on the puck. But he is taking that in stride and is trying to continue to grow as a player.
“I’m trying to be better each time out and I’ve noticed some improvement,” he said. “I feel I’m quicker (than last season).”
The two teams will faceoff again Saturday night, this time at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.
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