Excerpts from the Hockey News article by Adam Proteau:
In future, before anyone bitches, moans and characterizes the All-Star Game as a Mel Brooks-caliber farce and near-total waste of perfectly good eyesight, they ought to attend one in a real hockey city like the home of the Habs.
If they did – if they heard and saw the utter adoration for hockey and all the game’s legends; if they felt the goosebumps when longtime Canadiens legends such as Henri Richard and Serge Savard were introduced during play stoppages; if they looked out at the Bell Centre crowd and saw young and old united in enjoyment of the skill and sacrifice necessary to be named as one of the business’ best – the cynics might feel just a little bit different.
Later in the article:
There was a whole bunch of respect being shown in Montreal during this All-Star Game. Whether it was a warm “get well” JumboTron message and round of applause for ailing former Montreal coach Pat Burns, the presence of Montreal’s greatest living legend Jean Beliveau, or the genuine cheer that went out at the end of regulation time when the crowd was thrilled to squeeze in another period of action, the Canadiens organization exuded nothing but class all night – and indeed, all weekend long.
You’re allowed to hate the Habs for their unrivaled on-ice success. But you can’t say they don’t understand the passion and pride ingrained in the culture of sweet, sweet hockey love.
TSN:
NHL : Highlights: WEST 11, EAST 12 SO
NHL : A Perfect Ending
NHL : Alex Kovalev 1-on-1