by Taylor McIlwaine , Digital Media Producer, All Habs Hockey Magazine
TORONTO, ON. — It was all eyes on net ahead of Sunday night’s game in Ottawa with two goalies making their NHL debut, Matt O’Connor for the Sens and Mike Condon getting his first start for Montreal.
“A lot of energy going into the game, but after that first shot comes all the interior monologue just quiets down and all your training takes over. After the first shot, I was just having some fun.”- Mike Condon
Twenty-five year-old, Condon, who did not allow a single goal during his pre-season run came quite close to keeping that perfect save percentage alive but just couldn’t swing it. The Canadiens took the win 3-1 over the pesky Sens, leaving them undefeated this season.
Here’s a look at some of the top moments from Sunday night’s victory:
It did not take very long for Condon to start showing us what he is capable of, making some nice saves early on. There were not an abundance of shots on net by the Senators, however, Condon, a Princeton grad, appeared cool, calm and collected- something Montreal has come to love in their goaltenders.
It was Tomas Plekanec who struck first for the Canadiens…
…and then second. With just over a minute left to play in the 1st period, he found the back of the net on a breakaway. The Habs lead 2-0 at the end of 20 minutes.
To start the second period, Condon managed to prevent Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who seems to do his best offensively when playing against the Canadiens, from getting past him.
Determined, Pageau came back later in the 2nd and scored on Condon, putting his team on the board.
Not long after, Jeff Petry exacted this hit on Curtis Lazar and the whole internet erupted.
Close to the five minute mark of the 3rd period Greenfield Park native, Jeff Petry, solidified the Habs lead with a re-directed goal right into the blind spot of Matt O’Connor.
So with a third straight ‘W’ in the bag for the Montreal Canadiens, it was undoubtedly a night to remember for Mike Condon.
Next up, the Canadiens travel to Pittsburgh to end their season opening road trip against the Penguins as they look to beat their winning streak from last year by remaining undefeated for a fourth straight.
