December 2 has not been a kind day for the Montreal Canadiens across the years.
Today's date has not been a good one in Montreal Canadiens' history. 10 years ago to the day "Le Gros Bill" Jean Beliveau left this earth, leaving legion of fans in mourning and of course, his wife, and the first Lady of Hockey in Montreal, Elyse Beliveau and their kids.
Beliveau was one of the classiest player to play the game and was the one who initiated the Canadiens' tradition to visit the children's hospital around Christmas time. On the ice, he led the team with panache and won 10 Stanley Cups (just one short of Henri Richard's record with 11) and another seven as a an executive, giving him a total of 17, the most anyone has ever won.
Beliveau also won individual honours including two Hart Trophies, a Art Ross trophy and the Conn Smythe as the playoffs' MVP. If you pay attention to this season's pre-game montage, you can see his wife Elyse reacting to the ovation she received after the fans took a moment of silent for the passing of the great man.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48UvlxCuCtI[/embed]
Beliveau's passing isn't the only unfortunate event to happen on this day though. It was 29 years ago, on Dec. 2, 1995 that goaltender Patrick Roy played his last game ever as a member of the Sainte-Flanelle.
On that day, the all-start goaltender was hung out to dry by rookie coach and former teammate Mario Tremblay. The bench boss looked on as the Detroit Red Wings got nine goals past his number one goaltender before deciding to finally make a goalie swap.
It was too late though, the hero of a whole generation of Canadiens' fans had been thoroughly humiliated. His adoring public had not only booed him, but applauded him for a save a four-year old could have made. A proud competitor, Saint-Patrick skated to the bench and told team president Ronald Corey he had just played his last game in Montreal.
There was no coming back from such a public crisis and the Canadiens had no choice but to trade the face of the franchise. Rookie general manager Rejean Houle would reach an agreement with Colorado Avalanche GM Pierre Lacroix on Dec. 6 and send one of the best goaltender in history and his captain Mike Keane to the former Nordiques for Jocelyn Thibault, Andrei Kovalenko and Martin Rucinsky. A trade that hurt the franchise on many level and still hurts some fans to this day.
We would learn much later that former GM Serge Savard had previously discussed a deal to send Roy to Quebec, but coming back in that deal would have been Owen Nolan, who had a much more impressive career than the three players Houle got back.
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