by Erica, Staff Writer and Fundraising Specialist, All Habs Hockey Magazine

MONTREAL, QC. — This week on 24CH, audiences saw a lot of the Canadiens’ success, and no real mention of failure – only a desire and need to work harder. Here’s what we learned:

Focus on the positive. The episode opens with the Habs’ time in Tampa, which included their only loss of the season thus far. What felt like an interminable, crushing loss in real time was reduced to an unfortunate blip on the schedule, a disappointment that the team bounced back from and used as a learning opportunity.

Home openers are a very, very big deal. I mean, we knew that already, but seeing the amount of time and effort that went into the pregame presentation created by production company 4U2C probably opened a lot of eyes. It was created with the help of creative professionals from Evenko and the Canadiens, who ensured that every detail of the high-concept presentation was up to snuff for Geoff Molson. Interestingly enough, almost all of the behind-the-scenes preparations didn’t involve the players, emphasizing a focus on the Montreal Canadiens as a global brand, and not just any hockey team. The festivities were met with much enthusiasm, not only by fans, but also by participants Ginette Reno and Ken Dryden, as well as Montreal mayor Denis Coderre, who would likely give up his mayor’s seat in a heartbeat in exchange for regular work as a hockey analyst.

Brendan Gallagher is growing. As a player and a team ambassador. Not only is he playing smarter, listening to his teammates, but the home opener’s first star is evolving in the locker room as well. His remarks after the loss in Tampa showed maturity and growth. In a way, he was repeating the same stuff that a lot of players say after a loss, but there was a lot of sincerity in his words, as he knew that effort and teamwork were the only ways to recover from a disappointing game.

Good teams work together, on and off the ice. From the words of encouragement during the tough loss to Tampa, to the support for Jiri Sekac after his first goal (Manny Malhotra: “Why stop at just one, eh?”) to the honest talk in the locker room, the Habs are working together to earn their wins. They’re also aware of the people around them who help make those wins possible – equipment manager Pierre Gervais, celebrating a milestone 2500 games with the Canadiens, was recognized by the players for his hard work. Aside from praise by his contemporaries and the Habs legends that have worked with him (including Patrick Roy, in town with the Colorado Avalanche), the team’s current roster honoured him twice: once before the game, where they gathered to present him with a gift, and again in the locker room after the game, when Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau chose to give him the Shiny Boxing Robe of Success, which is what I’ve decided we’re going to call it. Gervais was humbled that the players would take the time to get together to recognize him, but considering the growing unity we’re seeing with these Habs, as well as Gervais’ incredible work ethic, it seemed like a no-brainer.