Hockeyville lives up to the hype for Newfoundland Senators and Canadians

The Ottawa Senators forward lives in Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, but his mother’s family hails from Port Aux Basque, Newfoundland. He is an unabashed supporter of life on the islands.

Turns out, Batherson had nothing to worry about. Kraft Hockeyville 2020 was a huge success for everyone involved.

“It was great; I always talk about it, but it was great for my teammates to come out and see it firsthand and win here,” Batherson said.

[RELATED: Hockeyville Hub: Day 2]

Ottawa won, this time defeating the Montreal Canadiens for a third straight season 4-3 at a sold out Steele Community Center before a decidedly pro-Canadian audience on Thursday.

The win was almost secondary.

It’s the memories that matter most.

Batherson had a great game in front of his family, who made the six-hour drive from Port Aux Basque, scoring and adding an assist. His line, with Tim Stutzle (one goal, two assists) and Brady Tkachuk (one goal), combined for six points and featured in each of Ottawa’s first three goals.

“I mean, I actually wish we could stay in the Maritimes a little longer,” Batherson said. “But now we’re getting excited [for the regular season]. Obviously it was a great team to get together out here in the Maritimes.”

Ottawa has one preseason game left, again against Montreal, at Kraft Hockeyville 2021 in Bouctouche, New Brunswick on Saturday (6:30 p.m. ET; TVAS).

The fans here and the players have been waiting two years for this game and the memories that come with it. It was postponed due to concerns about the coronavirus.

On August 15, 2020, the NHL announced that the small fishing town of Twillingate had won the Hockeyville contest to host the game and awarded $250,000 in upgrades to the George Hawkins Memorial Arena and $10,000 in equipment from Goals & Get National Hockey League Players’ Association goals. fund of dreams. Twillingate Arena is too small to host the game, so Gander, 90 miles south, hosted it.

The wait was worth it.

After the game, Tkachuk was still talking about last night’s dinner, a seafood-heavy meal at the Mystic Dining Room.

“It goes without saying,” he said, laughing.

But it will be the game he remembers the most, as it should be.

“It’s just a great atmosphere,” said Tkachuk. “Kind of reminds me of Michael Phelps at the Olympics. It was just a great experience for all of us.”

Video: Sens, Habs experience Hockeyville in Twillingate

Senators coach DJ Smith knows all about playing in small arenas across the province. He played for St. John’s, the American Hockey League affiliate for the Toronto Maple Leafs, from 1997-2002. This team stormed the province in the preseason, playing games at places like Great Falls and Corner Brook.

He knows what the two-day Hockeyville experience meant for the people here and in Twillingate.

“Anytime you get the chance to play in a little barn like that, especially after living in Newfoundland for five years, I know how important it is,” he said. “I know how much they love their hockey out here and most importantly, getting some of the caliber of players that were out there tonight is a great time for that [the fans].”

Even the Canadians, who were still without a win (0-6-1) in the previous season, tried to see the positive side.

“At least we won the penalty shootout,” said coach Marty St. Louis with a laugh. “With that we go.”

The teams agreed to a pre-game shootout and Montreal won the three-round event 1-0.

The Canadians also enjoyed the team lunch they had on Wednesday and reveled in the fun they had on the red carpet the morning before the game.

Brendan Gallagherwho prepared a goal with a nice pass Kirby roofHe found himself autographing a stuffed puffin in the mornings. Cole Kaufield signed a fan’s forehead.

“First time,” Caufield said.

Every member of the Canadians loved the welcome they received before and during the game.

Newfoundland’s NHL hockey affiliation is split fairly evenly between Montreal and Toronto. That evening, the blue, white and red color scheme of the Canadians was omnipresent.

Juraj Slafkowskithe 2022 NHL draft pick, is at his first camp near Montreal, but has already learned a valuable lesson about Canadiens fans.

“I think there are Montreal Canadiens fans around the world,” he said when asked about Canadiens fan dominance Thursday.

Slafkovsky had an assist on a goal by Josh Anderson it was 4-3 in the third period, a positive sign of his attempt to start the season in Montreal.

But he will savor that later.

After the game, he was still immersed in the Hockeyville experience.

“It’s good for all the children here and all the people,” he said. “I think they really appreciate it because they don’t get to watch the NHL every day. I’m just happy to see the kids smile.”