The 24-year-old, recently called up from Laval, scored twice and added an assist in Montreal's 4-3 OT loss to the Red Wings.
When he was growing up, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard said he dreamed about scoring a goal at the Bell Centre.
On Thursday night he scored two, added an assist and did a curtain call as the game’s first star.
Since the Montreal Canadiens making the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in 28 years, this newsletter is the dedicated Montreal Canadiens fan's source for exclusive Habs content, insight and analysis.
Thanks for signing up!
A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of HI/O: Montreal's Road to the Cup will soon be in your inbox.
The only disappointing note on the night was the final result as Robby Fabbri’s overtime goal gave the Detroit Red Wings a 4-3 victory as the curse of the reverse retro jerseys continued. The Canadiens have now lost six consecutive games in the powder blue jerseys.
The fourth line of Harvey-Pinard, Alex Belzile and Michael Pezzetta gave the Canadiens a chance to win. After getting limited ice time in the first period, they were given more responsibility as the game went on and coach Marty St. Louis rewarded Harvey-Pinard by sending him out to start overtime on the power play.
“That was special for me,” Harvey-Pinard said. “It was a great opportunity and every time I have those opportunities, I have to prove myself. I almost got a goal so it was good for me.”
One of the keys to the line’s work ethic work is the fact they have to prove themselves.
The 24-year-old was overlooked because of his size — he’s 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds — and was an afterthought when the Canadiens drafted him in the seventh and final round of the 2019 draft.
Pezzetta was selected in the sixth round and the 31-year-old Belzile was never drafted and has played mostly in the AHL, but has now suited up 16 time with the Canadiens.
“We have to prove that we deserve a spot in this lineup. every night and we’re going at 100 per cent,” said Harvey-Pinard. “We had a great forecheck tonight, we were on the puck, we had a lot of shots on net so I think we did a good job tonight.”
Belzile, who picked up a couple of assists, said every game is different, but “we try to make the best of the opportunities. That’s what Raf did tonight.”
Belzile said the three players on the line have good habits and work on defence, but he’s not surprised when they put up points.
“All our lives, we’ve been offensive players and, when we work hard, we disturb (the opposition) with our forecheck and when we get we get the puck, we make plays,” Belzile said. “That’s the whole idea behind it. We want to spend as less time as possible in the defensive zone and get the puck in the O zone. When you spend time there, you’re going to score goals.”
St. Louis was pleased to see Belzile and Harvey-Pinard play well after being recalled form Laval earlier this month.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” St. Louis said. “These two guys are hockey players. These are guys who show up and work. They take nothing for granted and they deserve what is happening to them.”
Harvey-Pinard said these games are a sign he can play in the NHL, but he’s taking nothing for granted.
“One game doesn’t make a career,” he said. “We have to keep going and play like we did tonight. We have to prove ourselves night after night.”
The line’s dominance was reflected in the statistics. Harvey-Pinard had four hits and three blocked shots in addition to his offensive heroics. Pezzetta had the other Montreal goal, added an assist and had eight hits. Belzile had a couple of hits and won eight of his 12 faceoffs.
Jake Allen returned to action after missing eight games with an upper-body injury. He played better as the game went on and finished with 38 saves.
phickey@postmedia.com
twitter.com/zababes1
-
Harvey-Pinard's two goals can't help Canadiens snap retro jersey curse
-
Stu Cowan: Canadiens' Sam Montembeault grabs bull by the horns
-
Spotlight shines on Canadiens injuries, Caufield and GM report card | HI/O Show
