Patrick Roy returns to Montreal to face off against former team

Patrick Roy returned to the ice in Montreal Thursday night where he won two Stanley Cups as a goaltender for the Canadiens. This time “Saint Patrick” faced off against his former team as the head coach for the New York Islanders. 

“I know how I feel today, and today it’s about the Islanders,” said Patrick Roy addressing the media prior to the game.

“I think everybody in Montreal knows how much I love them and how much respect I have for this organization.”

Fans outside the Bell Centre on game day were anticipating the return of Roy. 

“It’s the last Stanley Cup that we had. So, you know, we’re here for Patrick,” said Manon Roy, a Montreal Canadiens. 

During the Canadian national anthem, just prior to the puck drop, the crowd gave their number 33 a standing ovation.

However, the Habs and Martin St-Louis got the best of Roy and the Islanders Thursday night beating them 4-3.

Roy is considered to be one of the greatest goalies in NHL history winning four Stanley Cups and named most valuable player during the playoffs three times. Roy also has an impressive resume as a coach, winning the Memorial cup last season with the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts. He was also named coach of the year in 2014 with the Colorado Avalanche. 

“We saw him when he returned to the Remparts. He changed his way of coaching, he wasn’t old school anymore, he changed his way and we saw him, he won the cup with them and I believe he’s going to go a long way with him in the NHL and he’s adapting and that’s the NHL today,” said Mohammad El-Assaad, a Montreal Canadiens fan in front of Bell Centre.

“Who says he’s a good coach?” asked Bruce Zacard, another Montreal Canadiens fan, adding, “we don’t know if he’s a good coach. Time will tell if he’s a good coach.”

Heading into Thursday night’s game, Roy cancelled the Islanders morning skate, so players wouldn’t need to answer questions about him. But Roy did speak to media late in the afternoon, talking about a coach that served as his inspiration.

“I will say this. I was very lucky and I mentioned it when I met the media for the first time in New York. I was very lucky to have great coaches and one of them was Jacques Demers. And how positive he was, it’s something that I certainly bring with me,” said Roy.

“Carrie Price times 10 is what he was. He was an amazing goalie,” said Bruce Zacard, a Montreal Canadiens fan at the Bell Centre.

“Obviously, two Stanley Cups. That’s all I’m going to say. He’s amazing. What a goalie he was,” said Marck Serapian, another Montreal Canadiens fan.

“He’s always been truthful to himself. He’s a real legend. He’s not a fake and I’m from Quebec City, so I love him,” said Manon Roy. 

“I’ve loved him since day one,”