Ole Ole – Go Habs Go

The Montreal Canadiens’ season came to an end this evening at the hands of a 3-1 Tampa Bay Lightning win giving the Lightning a 4-0 series sweep. The Canadiens, however, should be commended for their exceptional and determined play all season long. After facing a 3-1 series deficit in the first round against Boston, the Canadiens, who could easily have packed it in at that point, refused to give up and eventually fought back to win that series in seven games; a feat which few had thought possible.

Coming into the regular season many thought the Canadiens were a long shot even to make the playoffs at all. Instead, they responded to these pessimists with a solid regular season in which they finished comfortably in seventh spot in the very competitive Eastern Conference. A team that did not have a direction at the beginning of the year turned themselves into a serious contender and feared opponent by the end of the season. Along the way, they provided fans, not just in Montreal but hockey fans all over the country, with some very memorable moments, many of which came out of the Heritage Classic Game in Edmonton. The Canadiens and the Edmonton Oilers showed us the way hockey was meant to be played and most importantly, they showed us how much hockey means to Canada. From the Hall of Famers sweeping the ice during breaks in their game in the afternoon to the superstars toughing it out and providing a superb game in freezing conditions at night to Jose Theodore satisfying all the hockey moms in the world by wearing a toque over his helmet, the Canadiens gave hockey fans one of the most memorable and feel-good days of hockey in recent memory.

Despite being swept by Tampa Bay, the Canadiens fought hard right until the end, never giving up on the chance of coming back in the series. Congratulations Montreal on a great season filled with wonderful memories, determined efforts and for showing true Montreal Canadiens spirit right until the end. Go Habs go!