Believe it, they certainly do up in hockey-mad Montreal

It was quite a sight in Montreal Thursday night.

Playing for its first Stanley Cup final in 28 years, the National Hockey League’s most successful franchise played host to the Vegas Golden Knights with only 4,500 allowed in the historic Bell Centre because of coronavirus pandemic restrictions, but outside it looked like the entire hockey-mad city was there.

Yes, seats were few and there was little space in Montreal Square. And they had reason to let it all hang out after their 4th-seeded, surprising Canadiens got past Vegas, 3-2, in overtime to move on to their initial playoff-leading 35th finals since being the last Canada franchise to hoist the prestigious cup in 1993. They have carried it a record 24 times, second in professional sports to only the New York Yankees.

A 500-1 pre-season pick to even gain the finals, and were a complete afterthought after entering the playoffs with the worst record. But they took to the ice and won 11 of 13 times after falling behind the favorite Toronto Maple Leafs, 3-1, in the opening round.

It all came to a head and a steady, ongoing roar inside and outside the rink when Arrturi Lehkonen scored 1:39 in the overtime. Cole Caufield and team captain Shea Weber also tallied, but up 2-1 in the third period, it was the Golden Knights who evened the score and brought the OT as the fired-up Montreal fans took a collective deep breath.

No way they wanted to lose this game six and have to play the deciding game in Vegas, so they quickly found the goal and the celebration began with the Canadiens clearing their bench and the thousands of fans jumping, hugging and kissing for joy.

Goalkeeper Carey Price was exceptional with 37 stops, some in the final minutes of regulation. Afterwards, the teams gathered for the usual NHL hand shaking, good wishes, and rivalry friendly congratulatory. It is a patented ice hockey highlight unlike no other.

Now Montreal awaits the winner of the other semis, when on Friday the New York Islanders play at the defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning in the deciding game seven for the second straight time. Last year, they played in the bubble, but this time it’s home ice for Tampa Bay.

It was about a year ago that the franchise’s Hall of Fame Henri Richard, the “Pocket Rocket” who won a record 11 Stanley Cups, passed away from the Alzheimer Disease, and thus this playoff run could have been dedicated to him, the younger brother of the late, great Canadien Hall of Fame’s Maurice “Rocket” Richard.

And up in Montreal, the celebration continued though the night and into the morning and afternoon, and no doubt still going on.