Four days following the kickoff of rookie camp, the Montreal Canadiens hosted the prospects of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, and Winnipeg Jets at the Bell Centre. Each team played two games over the weekend with the Habs facing the Jets on Saturday, and the Maple Leafs on Sunday.
Montreal rookie camp roster consisted of 26 players, featuring top prospects Ivan Demidov, David Reinbacher, Oliver Kapanen, Owen Beck and Jacob Fowler. Hayden Paupanekis missed camp due to mononucleosis.
Demidov Steals the Show
Ivan Demidov’s name appeared on the scoresheet in all three Montreal goals on Saturday in the 4-3 loss to the Jets. The coaching staff placed Ivan Demidov on the top line with Florian Xhekaj and Oliver Kapanen, and as expected, he received ample ice time during all four power plays.
It is no surprise that the Russian forward was the best player on the ice. He obtained his second point of the contest with a quick cross ice pass to Kapanen for a one-timer goal with the man advantage.
The 19-year-old brought the sold out Bell Centre crowd to their feet with less than two minutes remaining, after bouncing the puck over the defender’s stick before netting the tying goal on the breakaway.
“Every time you send him on the ice, you have the impression that something will happen. We had a lot of scoring chances and he was part of the majority of those chances. What he does on the ice, isn’t luck. He’s a young guy that’s worked on his game and will still get better. A player like him can make a difference on every shift,” Pascal Vincent said following Saturday’s game.
Other Notes
The Canadiens scratched Ivan Demidov from Sunday’s game, and his absence was felt. The offence did not generate flashy scoring chances in the 4-1 loss against the Maple Leafs. Filip Mesar scored Montreal’s only goal of the afternoon.
Eyes were on David Reinbacher as there was speculation on the condition of his knee. The defenceman confirmed following the Jets contest that he felt 100 percent on the ice. “We wanted to see the things we taught him last year. We want him to find his shape. He was good in both games but at times his lack of experience was visible,” the coach noted.
Jacob Fowler started both games and played until the midpoint of the second period before backups Mikus Vecvanags and Arseni Radkov jumped into action. Fowler blanked the Jets with 11 saves, and allowed two goals on 18 shots against the Maple Leafs.
“He has a presence on the ice and in the room. He has aura,” Vincent said. “I like how he’s aggressive in the net. He certainly gave confidence to the players in front of him.”
Training Camp Set to Begin
With rookie camp wrapped up, the Canadiens shift focus to main camp, beginning later this week. Players and team brass will meet the media Monday at the annual Laval-sur-le-Lac golf tournament, with preseason action kicking off September 22nd against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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