Hockey

Atmosphere at the Bell Centre: Ivan Demidov thanks fans (in French)
Félix Forget
Atmosphere at the Bell Centre: Ivan Demidov thanks fans (in French)
Credit: Screenshot/TVA Sports

Tonight, the Canadiens won their opening game at the Bell Centre. The club was headed for defeat late in the third period… but Ivan Demidov (and Patrik Laine) had other plans. but Ivan Demidov (and Patrik Laine) had other plans.The young Russian raised the roof of the Centre Bell with a magnificent equalizer

After the game, Demidov took time out to chat to the media. Of course, he talked about the crazy atmosphere at the Bell Centre following his goal, but also about how it will help his confidence. But at the end of the interview, Anthony Martineau(TVA Sports) gave the kid a chance to address the fans… and to everyone's surprise, he did it in French:

Bonsoir les partisans, merci beaucoup!

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Ivan Demidov

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We agree that the kid didn't need this to be loved in Montreal (he may already be the most popular player in town, after all), but to see him take the trouble to get out a few words of French shows that he knows how to make himself loved.He could very well have ended it all in English and nobody would have blamed him, you know. He may have spent the summer in town and taken French lessons, but it's not always easy for players to get their French out in front of the media.Tonight, Demidov showed that he has the potential to lift the crowd like that for many, many years to come. It was impressive tonight, but it's likely to be impressive again and again in the years to come,and if he continues to speak French like that on occasion, he'll only consolidate his popularity in town.

'Prolongation'

Speaking of Demidov, Mike Matheson chatted a bit about his young teammate after the game… and the defenseman praised the Russian's immense potential.And we saw it tonight.

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