Surely, a loss by the Canadian Junior team in yesterday's semi-final against arch-rival Russia will garner more attention than one the Canadiens may serve up against the Winnipeg Jets this evening, but now that the Juniors are after bronze instead of gold or silver they've worn around their necks for 11-straight tournaments, the Canadiens once again take centre-stage in Montreal.


A learning experience for Beaulieu

Before we delve into the Canadiens' latest perils, two Canadien prospects playing for Canada were at opposite ends of the emotional spectrum last night, but not by the end of the evening--at which point both had to be sharing in the tremendously disappointing result of the hockey game.

At 5-1, in the third period of what looked like a disastrous hockey game, Nathan Beaulieu got caught watching a Russian forward break past him in the Canadian offensive zone. Beaulieu tripped the rusher, and then stood in disbelief that his indiscretion was noted by the official. Unfortunately for Beaulieu, his decision to quit on the play that resulted in the Russians' sixth and winning goal was noted by all of Canada.

At the other end of the ice, giving up was clearly the furthest thing from Brendan Gallagher's mind; he took over the game by scoring a goal and two assists to bring the Canadians within a shot of equalizing what looked to be an insurmountable lead.

Gallagher's determination is what Canadian Pride is made of. He proved to the hockey world what fans of the Montreal Canadiens have come to learn through two training camps and two WHL seasons since he was drafted in 5th round of the 2010 selection. He's a top-level prospect who will one day be a top-level player in the National Hockey League.

Not to say Canadiens' first round selection from 2011, Beaulieu won't find his NHL stride either. Because the game was determined by the sixth Russian goal, which will always be remembered for his lack of effort on the play, it will either plague him for the rest of his career or serve as the inspiration he's always needed to get to the next level and succeed.

I'd bet on the latter becoming a reality, for a young player that's already gotten to experience so much in the last year-- including his role on a Memorial Cup-winning team, his pre-season debut with the Canadiens (he impressed) and his participation in the World Junior Championships, maybe last night's lesson was an important one to learn at this level, before he makes it to the next one.


That's junior hockey

There are a few reasons the World Juniors are generally seen as a competition that's more exciting than NHL hockey.

1) Players at that level, on that stage, make mistakes. And mistakes lead to defensive breakdowns, scoring chances, beautiful goals or timely saves. They lead to devastating hits, or terribly unfortunate accidents. But most of all, they lead to excitement.

2) The competition is more wide-open than Canadians care to admit. The Americans had a team that was good enough to win this year, instead, they didn't even get the chance to lose a game that would have them competing for a bronze medal, let alone a silver or gold.

Sweden, Russia and Finland were equal threats, and any one of them could've given Canada a run for their money in the semis or the finals.

3) The pressure. The pressure brings the best out of Canada--especially on Canadian soil, but it also creates the atmosphere for an underdog to rise up and defeat the Canadian Goliath. The pressure is the stimulation of all the emotions so clearly worn on the sleeves of these young, inexperienced players. The pressure nearly caught up to the Russians like it did to the Canadians last year, and the drama was almost too much to handle last night.

We should be so thankful for the insight into the game of hockey this tournament provides every year.


Gionta practicing, Cammalleri and Kaberle not

Reports from practice this morning have Cammalleri and Kaberle as game-time decisions.

Brian Gionta resumed practice with contact yesterday, and participated in the morning skate today.

It's not anticipated Gionta will return until Saturday.

This may not come as a surprise to some of you, but the Habs need a win--or ten in a row. But it starts with one, and there's no reason it can't be against Winnipeg, tonight.