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Today marked the opening game for the Montreal Canadiens in their 2016 rookie tournament in London, Ontario. Facing off against the Penguins, the rookies looked to give the fans a taste of what they will bring to the table at the upcoming training camp.
Unfortunately, there were no streams available online, and the game was only carried on Leafs TV. Thankfully our own Mitch Brown was able to capture some highlights so that we can share them with you here.
The game didn't start out well, with Charlie Lindgren being fooled by the first shot against 21 seconds in. But Noah Juulsen was bringing the physical game early after that.
#Habs Noah Juulsen wasting no time getting back to his usual ways, destroying the biggest dude on the ice: pic.twitter.com/pnYXFdXWAa
— Mitch Brown (@MitchLBrown) September 16, 2016
Artturi Lehkonen then got an excellent chance off, and followed up with a big hit in the offensive zone shortly thereafter.
#Habs Artturi Lehkonen with a good look then lays a big hit shortly after. pic.twitter.com/2fCSc77pZO
— Mitch Brown (@MitchLBrown) September 16, 2016
Ryan Johnston found Michael McCarron with a slick pass from the point for a scoring chance, but big Mac was unable to cash it in.
#Habs Michael McCarron & Ryan Johnston connect for a chance. pic.twitter.com/U2LRyybJO3
— Mitch Brown (@MitchLBrown) September 16, 2016
Johnston then did it himself, tying the game up for the Canadiens young guns. Lehkonen and McCarron were awarded the assists.
Ryan Johnston makes it 1-1. Assists to Lehkonen and McCarron! pic.twitter.com/gTKBfII0oG
— Mitch Brown (@MitchLBrown) September 16, 2016
And they'd take the lead in short order, with Tom Parisi providing the go ahead marker
Back to back NCAA FA goals! Tom Parisi makes it 2-1 #Habs! Great work by Jeremiah Addison! pic.twitter.com/AEhuNsWNeB
— Mitch Brown (@MitchLBrown) September 16, 2016
Mikhail Sergachev displayed some of the physicality he's able to bring to the game.
#Habs Mikhail Sergachev with a solid hit in the neutral zone: pic.twitter.com/1oCNxtWdid
— Mitch Brown (@MitchLBrown) September 16, 2016
Charlie Lindgren settled in after that first shot goal, and he made quite the glove save in the second.
Charlie Lindgren with a beautiful glove save on a 2-on-1! #Habs pic.twitter.com/cU9bDiC5Gc
— Mitch Brown (@MitchLBrown) September 16, 2016
Artturi Lehkonen really impressed in this game, and some fantastic work by him led to the 3-1 goal from Michael McCarron.
3-1! Artturi Lehkonen with an incredible sequence, Michael McCarron buries! #Habs pic.twitter.com/y7xKPCMrQt
— Mitch Brown (@MitchLBrown) September 16, 2016
Ryan Johnston was simply on fire, potting his second of the game to make it 4-1.
4-1 #Habs! Ryan Johnston with his second of the night. He has looked great this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/7s3n9OK9nN
— Mitch Brown (@MitchLBrown) September 16, 2016
Lehkonen, the smiling assassin, seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself out there.
Come on, @CanadiensMTL, Artturi Lehkonen's smile alone should guarantee him a top-six spot: pic.twitter.com/3Due6hsHWs
— Mitch Brown (@MitchLBrown) September 16, 2016
The rout continued in the third period. Will Bitten threw a gorgeous saucer pass to Jeremiah Addison, and he made no mistake burying the 5-1 marker.
5-1 #Habs! Jeremiah Addison takes a beautiful(!!!) feed from Will Bitten. Noah Juulsen grabs the secondary assist. pic.twitter.com/UX1wX0RV6o
— Mitch Brown (@MitchLBrown) September 16, 2016
The Pens got one back, but Michael McCarron continued torching them with a second goal, this time assisted by Nikita Scherbak. 6-2 Habs at this point.
Right after allowing one, the #Habs answer. 6-2! Goal called as Michael McCarron from Nikita Scherbak. pic.twitter.com/uF4dG8RqFE
— Mitch Brown (@MitchLBrown) September 16, 2016
After the Pens climbed back to 6-3, Noah Juulsen quickly made it 7-3 with a bomb from the point. Another assist went to Scherbak on that one.
Noah Juulsen scores! What a shot. 7-3 #Habs. pic.twitter.com/4F1DN4spGD
— Mitch Brown (@MitchLBrown) September 16, 2016
After two consecutive assists, Scherbak decided to just go off for an absolutely gorgeous goal, making the final 8-3 for the Canadiens.
Tout un but de @nikscherbak au tournoi des recrues à London! (courtoisie : Leafs TV) #RDSCH pic.twitter.com/rpmDj0yWSS
— Hockey 360 (@hockey360) September 16, 2016
Big stick tap to Mitch Brown, as without him we would have had a hard time seeing what went on in this game.