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In Hainsight: World Championships and Draft Update |
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Follow me @KarineHains for all updates about the Montreal Canadiens and women's hockey
Yesterday, Team Canada started its tournament with a match-up against Latvia and head coach André Tourigny had decided to call upon Samuel Montembeault to man the net while Buffalo’s Devon Levi served as back-up. Of course, Latvia is not a powerhouse, but still its skaters managed to take 23 shots on net and Mounty saved them all. While it wasn’t a festival of scoring chances, there were still a few threatening shots and the goaltender passed his first test with flying colors. Tomorrow, Canada takes on Slovenia and I expect we’ll see Levi in net for that one. As for the other Hab defending Canada’s colors, Justin Barron was dressed but didn’t get much ice-time (just over 13 minutes) so there’s not a lot to report on that front.
Team USA was also in action yesterday facing tournament favorites Finland and the Americans spoiled the party by beating the local heroes 4-1. Lane Hutson and Sean Farrell both wore the Stars and Stripes but were held off the scoresheet. As for Luke Tuch, he was a healthy scratch. Joel Armia was on the losing side and he was unable to make a difference in the match-up, unlike last year when he was an important piece of the Suomi.
As I’m writing these lines, Denmark is taking on Hungary with Habs prospect Frederik Dichow in net. After 20 minutes of play, the Danes are leading 1-0 but have got a 17-2 edge when it comes to shots on goal. Chances are, the netminder has hardly had to break a sweat. Later today, Armia and the Finns will be back in action against Germany while the Americans will take on Hungary tomorrow.
From current Habs, let’s go to former Habs or rather to one former Hab who sealed the Maple Leafs’ fate last night as Florida eliminated Toronto in overtime. It was none other than former Canadiens Nick Cousins who was the game’s unlikely hero by scoring the game winning goal and just like that, he became just about everyone’s favorite former Hab. With that 2nd round win, the Panthers move on the to Conference final to take on the Carolina Hurricanes and that means that the 1st round pick the Canadiens got for Ben Chiarot last season will now be at best the 29th selection. Of course, it makes it less valuable trade value wise, but I’ve not seen a lot of Habs fans being too upset about the Leafs’ elimination since last night.
I really wonder what the Habs’ brass will decide to do with that pick, had it been nearer the middle of the round, I’m pretty sure they would have tried to use it in a hockey deal just like the one that brough them Kirby Dach at last year’s draft, but now, could they be tempted to use it on a goaltender? The cupboard is far from stacked at that position and there is no heir apparent to Carey Price’s now vacant throne. Samuel Montembeault has shown himself to be a capable goalie, but can he be a bona fide number one? I doubt it. As for Cayden Primeau, he’s yet to convince anyone of where his future lies and that’s a bit of a concern.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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