The Montreal Canadiens’ public relations department announced today that despite rumors, there won’t be an increased fan capacity for Montreal home games in the Stanley Cup Final. There was widespread hope of being able to increase the attendance limit to 10,500 spectators, or around 50 percent capacity. Instead, the Habs will remain with just 3,500 fans allowed in the building to watch Games 3, 4, and a potential Game 6.
An announcement was expected from either Montreal or the health department of Quebec today after the Tampa Bay Lightning announced they’d be opening up full capacity from Game 2 onwards. Now, it appears as such the Habs won’t be getting a similar boost. Fans at the Bell Centre for tonight’s watch party voiced their displeasure, booing loudly as the capacity limitation was announced on the broadcast.
With only 3,500 fans allowed in the building for Montreal’s last game, Game 6 against the Vegas Golden Knights, even more people were gathered outside of the Bell Centre in order to watch and eventually celebrate Montreal’s win. It ended up creating a dangerous environment outside. TVA’s Renaud Lavoie reported after the game that the Bell Centre had been put into a lockdown, due to the zone outside being declared by a riot zone by the city.
For the team, though, a playoff run without a full house hasn’t mattered. Montreal owns a 5-3 record on home ice in these playoffs, and haven’t lost in regulation at home since Game 4 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. With the result of Game 2 pending, Montreal’s success in Games 3 and 4 may be absolutely necessary if Tampa emerges victorious again at home. It won’t be anything new for the Habs, who didn’t even play with fans in the stands until the playoffs started. As they gear up to attempt to win their first championship since 1993, they’ll continue to do it in a limited-capacity environment.
Psh
But 50 000 people outside in close quarters and no mask on are fine.
Sometimes governments make you wonder just WTF!
Wow so they’ll let everyone outside to watch but won’t let them in the building even if vaxed come onnn
Aaaaaaand…Canada continues on with their foolish idiocy. Canadian citizens are absolute troopers to maintain any sanity with the incapable leadership they have. So unfortunate for so many.
That means fewer people have to watch the Lightning skate around with the Stanley Cup.
So finally a Canadian team gets into the Stanley Cup Finals and still the Canadian govt won’t loosen up their irrational control power trip.Not even with masks? Vaccines? Sad for the fans of the Canadiens.
Let’s keep it to hockey, and not politics.
Don’t want this site banning people for their EXTREME views. Capitalized because all reason has been lost in any discussions and this is how banning occurs.
I’m super stoked to have a Canadian team in the playoffs. 3500 Canadians in the stands will make more than enough noise to shame the Refs and Bettman.
Also make sure to boo Kucherov every time he hits the ice to let him know he’s a coward for avoiding the regular season. I’m sure he was ‘coached’ or ‘advised’ but it doesn’t matter. 2 months of practice. C’mon!
Except the topic is 100% about a political decision…
Pointing out idiocy is not politics. Common sense and logic should never be banned!
Live life as you see you.
This is on provincial govt not federal. The province of Quebec’s medical “professionals” made this decision, not health Canada.
Shh don’t bring facts, you might hurt them.
Is the Federal government in disagreement with this decision? All indications are that they are in complete agreement with this decision.