Zachary Bolduc Defends Samuel Montembeault After Disrespectful Chants at the Bell Centre
The Montreal Canadiens delivered an emotional game at the Bell Centre against the Philadelphia Flyers.
A night where Samuel Montembeault, Zachary Bolduc, and the entire team experienced major highs and lows in an atmosphere that shifted several times throughout the evening.
The Habs were hit early with a rough start.
A crowd that was clearly uneasy, quiet, unsure how to react.
Then came a moment that sparked reactions all over Quebec.
Samuel Montembeault Humiliated by Canadiens Fans
As Montembeault made routine saves following the early goals, part of the crowd began to applaud in a way that sounded more like mockery than support.
The gesture was clearly heard in the arena - and even on television.
"The Bell Centre is giving Montembeault the Patrick Roy treatment..."
- HFTV
- HFTV
And it didn't sit well in the locker room...
He calmly said what many were probably thinking but didn't dare to say out loud.
"I didn't like hearing the fans applaud Samuel in mockery."
"When I realized they were applauding after he made a save... it wasn't something fun to see, even when you're not the one involved," said Bolduc.
"He showed character and great mental strength. He helped us throughout the game," he added in praise.
- Zachary Bolduc via TVA sports
"He showed character and great mental strength. He helped us throughout the game," he added in praise.
- Zachary Bolduc via TVA sports
I loved seeing him stand up for Monty.
His response wasn't aimed at all the fans, and it didn't seek to create conflict.
He simply pointed out something deeper.
Respect.
Montembeault had a very unusual game. He looked shaky at first, but I think he completely turned things around afterward.
He finished with 38 saves and helped the Canadiens come back from 3-0 to 4-3.
The crowd went from sighs to genuine encouragement.
Monty! Monty! Monty! chants eventually poured down from the stands.
I think it shows just how passionate - but also demanding - Montreal can be, and I believe Bolduc's reaction brings back something important: you have to protect your teammates.
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