Farrell Joins Canadiens | Habs Notepad

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Habs News: NHL, Montreal Canadiens, Rafael Harvey-Pinard, Sean Farrell, Laval Rocket, Trois-Rivieres Lions

Sean Farrell, Montreal Canadiens (Photo by TVA Sports)

ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | LAVAL, QC. — The Montreal Canadiens hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. The score was tied 2-2 through 20 minutes before Montreal took over the contest by adding six goals in the final two periods and easily won 8-2.

“It’s fun to have games like this. Everyone was part of the recipe. The feeling you get during the game as you separate from the opponents, it’s a feeling that you earn and not something that is handed to you,” coach Martin St. Louis said.

“I feel like we’ve been playing good hockey and haven’t been rewarded in the goal department and it’s nice to get that,” added captain Nick Suzuki after his four-point performance.

“We were fortunate to see some pucks going to the back of the net. We saw some smiles on the bench. I think everyone’s feeling pretty good, pretty comfortable with their game and hopefully it carries to the next one,” forward Brendan Gallagher said.

The team had an optional practice on Sunday with 12 players deciding to hit the ice. Joel Armia skated on his own following his teammates.

The Canadiens play back-to-back games starting in Buffalo on Monday and in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Harvey-Pinard Seizing Opportunity

Rafael Harvey-Pinard stole the show on Saturday by recording his first career NHL hat trick. The forward scored all three goals in the second period and became the first franchise rookie to record a hat trick in one period since Dick Gamble on March 2nd, 1952.

The Bell Centre fans gave the Saguenay native a loud ovation after his third of the night. “It was an incredible moment. I had chills hearing the Bell Centre [fans]. It was so loud. I dreamed of this moment often when I was a kid so I soaked it all in.”

Harvey-Pinard has 12 goals and 17 points in 29 games, averaging 17:10 of ice time and primarily being deployed with Suzuki on the top line. “I have a good opportunity with a lot of ice time and playing with two excellent players. I’m also being used in all situations and that helps with the confidence.”

The 24-year old’s two year entry-level contract is expiring at the end of the season making him a restricted free agent. He has put up a good case for his next contract to be one-way but he will remain waiver exempt next season. “It’s a dream for me to be here and sometimes I have trouble to realize it. Right now it’s reality so I have to perform every game.”

St. Louis praises the rookie’s work ethic, compete level, and his engagement on both sides of the ice. Those qualities allow the coach to trust Harvey-Pinard with important responsibilities.

“His stick details, defensive positioning, blocking shots, all the little things that coaches love he does, so it’s pretty easy to put him out there,” listed Suzuki.

Farrell Signs Contract

The Canadiens announced on Sunday that they signed Sean Farrell to a three-year entry level contract starting this season. The deal has an average annual value of $1,158,333 against the salary cap.

Farrell’s NCAA season came to an end on Friday when the Harvard Crimson lost 8-1 against the Ohio State Buckeyes. In 34 games this season, the forward scored 20 times and totaled 53 points.

The 21-year-old is joining the team in Buffalo, but it is not known if he will be in uniform to make his NHL debut.

Jordan Harris made the jump last year from the NCAA to the NHL and faced Farrell at the university level. “A great player and a great kid. The nicest kid that there is. As a player, he’s incredibly smart, shifty, a good playmaker. I don’t think he gets enough credit for his shot and scoring ability.”

Harris played 10 games last season following his transition from Northeastern University and he felt that it helped him prepare for this season. “The games from the end of the season helped so much because it shows you what you want to work on in the summer going into your first year. You get an idea of the systems, the style of play and over the summer you come up with drills that will make that transition easier.

Rocket Win on Road

The Laval Rocket hosted the Milwaukee Admirals at Place Bell on Friday. The score was tied after one period, and then the Rocket outshot their opponents 35-11 in the final 40 minutes but still ended on the losing side of the 3-2 match. 

“We had 45 shots. We tried our best. Maybe we should of had 70 shots. Maybe that would have helped. The effort was there. I think their goalie was the difference,” coach Jean-Francois Houle said.

Jayden Struble was dressed for his first game as a professional and was happy with his performance. “I thought everything went pretty well. I thought I played alright. It was a good first one to just get my feet under me.”

The 21-year old was impressed by the crowd at Place Bell. “It’s sick. It’s cool. Just the atmosphere, looking up and seeing a packed crowd, it’s definitely different than what I’ve been accustomed to.”

Laval began a four-game road trip on Sunday against the Manitoba Moose. A 2-0 lead through 40 minutes was sufficient for the Rocket as they headed to 4-1 victory.

“It was a crucial win. I think we put them to the sleep in an afternoon game. It was sloppy for both teams but we found a way to score important goals and come out with the victory,” Houle told BPM Sports.

The Rocket continue their road trip on Tuesday against the Manitoba Moose.

Lions Staying Alive

The Trois-Rivieres Lions hosted the Norfolk Admirals for a pair of games over the weekend. On Friday, the Lions took a 3-0 lead in the first period and added two goals in the third period for the 5-0 victory.

“We were extraordinary in the first period, but in the second the momentum changed sides. We came back strong in the third period,” coach and general manager Marc-Andre Bergeron said.

Joe Vrbetic recorded his first career shutout as a pro in Friday’s victory. He made 25 saves in the second period alone and was named the first star of the night.

On Saturday, the Admirals had a 3-0 lead midway through the second period when the Lions answered back with three goals to tie the game and force overtime. Norfolk scored the winning goal in the final minute of overtime and collect the two points.

“I’m proud of the guys’ commitment. This is a priority at the end of the season. We are professionals and we don’t play hockey for fun. There is a pride. The organization is obviously not satisfied with the season. We would not accept the guys giving up,” Bergeron said.

The Lions playoff chances are hanging on a thread and can end as soon as Wednesday when the face the Railers in Worcester. A loss against the Railers will eliminate the Lions from clinching a playoff spot.

(Quotes courtesy of Le Nouvelliste)

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By Chris G., Senior Writer
All Habs Hockey Magazine
Copyright © 2022 Rocket Sports

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