Josh Anderson Ends Slump with Two Goals in Habs Win

The Montreal Canadiens fans at the Bell Centre had lots to cheer about in the final home game in 2023 that ended with 5-3 victory.  

The loudest ovation came when public address announcer Michel Lacroix declared Josh Anderson as the first start of the game with two goals. The fans were loud during the forward's post-game interview on the ice. 

"Just seeing their support over the last couple of nights, it really is truly amazing. It's a night that I will always remember. It choked me up a bit on the ice. That was a pretty special moment," said Anderson referencing the fans reaction. 

Martin St. Louis heard the crowd's ovation as he waited to greet Anderson after the contest while music was blasting inside the dressing room. 

The 29-year-old's first goal came midway through the second period when he took the puck that struck him, spun around and beat Semyon Varlamov between the pads. Anderson did not realize that the puck crossed the line until Jake Evans pointed in his direction. 

He added his second of the night in the final minute of the second period when he carried the puck from the faceoff dot to the blue paint and banked in the rebound after his initial shot was stopped. 

Anderson's first goal of the year was an empty netter on December 4th against Seattle. "I'm used to scoring goals, obviously it's been tough but finally to get one past the goalie, it's nice to see," reacted to putting the puck behind the goalie. 

St. Louis did not notice anything different in the play of the 6-foot-3 inch forward on Saturday. "I feel like Josh has played some pretty good hockey of late, but Josh has been more in the inside like the team and he's getting rewarded for it."

It was mentally tough for Anderson going through a stretch of scoring once in 29 games, but he had the support of his teammates, management and friends during the entire time. 

"In the 13th-14th game, you really start thinking about it. It's everywhere out there. Even from your teammates when they're saying that tonight is the night and that gets in your head, but at the same time, you just got to stick to what got you here. You can do other things to help your team win and not really think about scoring but doing other things to help your hockey team win, and that does help," Anderson detailed his mindset during his drought. 

As the team prepares to play the next seven games away from the Bell Centre, the Burlington, Ontario native will stick to the way he's been playing this season. "I'm going to keep doing the things I've been doing lately. Tomorrow is a new day and get back to work and see if you can do it again."

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