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Why Brad Marchand received cheers from Montreal fans on Wednesday night
"It's so incredible to be part of something like this and to put this jersey on."
Montreal is one of many hockey markets across the NHL where Brad Marchand is largely considered persona non grata.
Beyond Marchand’s knack for shredding defenses and breaking opposing fans’ hearts via an overtime goal, his track record as a pugnacious pest has drawn the ire of many across the hockey world.
Marchand has been a menace during his matchups against Montreal over the years, scoring 17 goals and 31 assists in 56 career games against the Canadiens. Marchand’s 81 penalty minutes accrued in bouts with the Habs also stands as his highest total against any opponent.
Given his history with Montreal, Marchand wasn’t expecting to get a warm reception at Bell Centre on Wednesday night.
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But with a red Maple Leaf etched on his sweater instead of a spoked-B, the Bruins’ captain was tabbed as a friend — not a foe — while skating for Team Canada in their opening matchup of the 4 Nations Face-Off against Sweden.
“I don’t think they’ll be cheering for me,” Marchand said of Canadiens’ fans during Wednesday’s pregame presser in Montreal. “I think they’re cheering for the team. Playing for Team Canada, you see how united the entire country gets.
“Everyone’s cheering and hoping to accomplish the same goal. I’ve always looked at it like it’s more of a sign of respect. I don’t get too caught up in that. I’d probably boo me if I was a fan as well.”
It didn’t take long for any icy sentiment toward Marchand to thaw among a raucous sea of red sweaters at Bell Centre — with the 36-year-old winger helping Canada escape with a 4-3 overtime win over Sweden on Wednesday.
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The Halifax, Nova Scotia native was one of four different skaters to light the lamp for Canada in the win — with Marchand making it a 2-0 game at 13:15 in the first period after capping off a 2-on-1 break alongside Brayden Point with a quick shot into twine.
As Marchand embraced his fellow countrymen out on the ice, cheers rained down on Marchand — an unusual sight in an opposing barn, especially north of the border.
“No, I didn’t,” Marchand said postgame when asked on NHL Network if he expected that reception in Montreal. “But I don’t mind it.”
Marchand, playing in his first game for Team Canada since 2016, logged 11:22 of ice time while skating on a line with Point and Seth Jarvis — landing two shots on goal and chipping in with a shift on the penalty kill.
It was an eventful night for the Canadians, who coughed up a 2-0 lead to Sweden and needed an overtime tally from Mitch Marner to secure two points in the tournament. But Marchand and his teammates will take the win, especially with their next matchup set for Saturday night against Team USA in Montreal.
“It’s obviously been a while,” Marchand said of playing for Canada. “You can tell the fans are excited. It’s so incredible to be part of something like this and to put this jersey on. It’s an honor every time that you can’t explain. So it’s a pleasure.”
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