Team C Beats Team A In Habs Training Camp Scrimmage

This was the first game that we got to see the 2nd line in scrimmage action, as Team A only practiced drills on Thursday. For fans who were able to go see this scrimmage live on Friday, they were treated to the amazing chemistry between Laine and Demidov. They connected for a goal that was the main talk of the day at Training Camp, as Demidov found Laine from his office behind the net, and the Finnish forward buried the puck in the back of the net. The duo also assisted on Kaiden Guhle’s goal that got their Team A on the board.

Hopefully, we get to see Kirby Dach in a preseason game with the two star wingers so that he can gain some in-game chemistry with Demidov and Laine.

Dach was pulled out of the scrimmage for Team A today because the Canadiens are planning on working him back slowly after recovering from his knee surgery. He was assigned to continue practicing on his skills during Team B’s morning skate before the start of today’s scrimmage. One video in particular surfaced showing him to be a great puck protector in a tough battle with defenseman Arber Xhekaj. The fact that he can play hard and keep the puck in a battle like that against a healthy NHL defenseman is a great sign that he could be ready to play in real games and scrimmages sooner than later.

One player who surprised many today was Vinzenz Rohrer, who was everywhere on the ice during the scrimmage. Rohrer impressed many with just how fast he is out there. The Austrian forward is highly unlikely to start the season in the NHL, but the experience he gets at this camp should help him have a great year in Zurich of the Swiss National League. If he has a great season in Switzerland, he could end up getting some NHL games towards the end of the year, just like Kapanen did last season.

The line of Rohrer, Alex Belzile and Joshua Roy was the most dominant line overall, where they combined for 3 of Team C’s 4 goals (Cole Caufield scored the other one). Rohrer had a goal and 2 assists, while Roy scored 2 goals and an assist. It will be interesting to see if Roy can put this offensive success he had in today’s scrimmage. It makes you wonder if being in the best shape of his life, according to him, is what he needed to re-unlock the great offensive player that we saw in the QJMHL and the World Juniors from a few years ago.

If Roy produces the way he did today in the preseason, the Habs may have no other choice but to allow him to make the team. There seems to be a spot opened at the 3rd line right wing role based on the current lines at camp, and if Roy plays the way he did today, that spot really could be his.

Mike Matheson looked good next to Noah Dobson for a 2nd day in a row, despite there being pushback from most fans when they were put together on Thursday. Time will tell if that pairing actually works when it comes time to playing real games.

Following Team C’s win, Team A was forced to do laps as the losers of the scrimmage. It was a fun little punishment that the players decided among themselves. Tomorrow morning, Team A and Team B will face off at 10:30 am ET at Complex CN in Brossard.

Will we see Kirby Dach in the scrimmage tomorrow, or will he be part of the practicing group for a 3rd day in a row?