Montreal Canadiens fans score big, win trip to Washington for playoff game

Four lucky Montreal Canadiens fans are headed to Washington, D.C., on a private jet to catch Game 2 of the NHL playoffs, thanks to a contest from BPM Sports. The group won the experience of a lifetime: a round-trip in luxury to cheer on the bleu, blanc, rouge at Capital One Arena.

“I’ve been on the radio for 18 years now, and I’ve never been as excited as I am right now for a contest,” said Max Lalonde, morning show host at BPM Sports. “We are taking four people to Washington tonight, back and fourth round-trip, to go see Game 2 at the Capital One Arena by private jet that’s been provided by JB Aviation Services.”

The trip itself is part of a larger trend at BPM Sports of creating unforgettable fan experiences.

“We came up with a few sports trips in the past months,” Lalonde explained. “We did the Islanders — two buses went down. We went to Ottawa — four buses that time. I was thinking, ‘How do I top four buses?’ So I thought, let’s do a private jet for a playoff game.”

With help from JB Aviation Services — with bases in both Dorval and Saint-Hubert — the idea became reality.

“It all happened fast,” Lalonde said. “The whole thing depended on the Habs clinching a playoff spot. When they beat the Hurricanes, we launched it. We got a ton of people who wanted to come with us.”

The contest unfolded live on BPM’s popular shows Le Club du Matin and Le Forum with Tony Marinaro. According to Lalonde, the mechanics of the giveaway were simple but thrilling.

“Basically, it was pretty simple,” he explained. “When we got the deal with JB Aviation Services, you needed to listen to BPM Sports from 7 to 8 and from 10 to 11. When you hear the plane going through the air, you text the keyword. If your name comes out on top in the first draw, then you may be a finalist. Out of the 36, we picked one — and then we get our winner.”

That winner was Joey Forget from the Laurentians, who still can’t quite believe his luck.

“I didn’t expect to win,” he said. “I think I was the first name picked in last Thursday’s draw. It came down to luck. A bunch of my friends entered, but I was the lucky one picked from 36 people.”

Forget carefully selected who would join him on the trip.

“Yannick is my business partner — we both wanted to take part. After that, I have my spouse. Another friend works with me. We did a little draw among our group, and that’s how we picked the rest.”

Forget’s friend, Yannick Massicotte, still remembers the moment they found out they’d won.

“It was sick,” he said. “We were all working together, listening to the radio. When the contest sound played, it cut the audio on what we were listening to. We just knew it was us. We started running around — we were freaking out.”

Forget couldn’t be more thrilled.

“It’s going to be great. I’ve never been to Washington in my life — especially the experience of doing it on a private jet, and with a gang of passionate hockey fans like us. It’s going to be great. I hope we have a good game and come out with a victory,” he said.

Massicotte agreed.

“It’s sick. It’s like an experience of a lifetime — take a private jet, go see a series game outside of Montreal. It’s going to be really sick. It’s a great trip to live, that’s for sure.”

As for the travel details, the experience is far from ordinary.

“It’s pretty exclusive, it’s pretty special,” Lalonde said. “We’re going to be leaving from St-Hubert in a limo. When we get to Washington, we have a black limo truck taking us to Capital One Arena. We go to the game, have dinner with the winner, then take the black limo back to the airport and fly back to Montreal the same night. It’s a one-day trip to go see Game 2. It’s just amazing.”

He added: “I’ve given away so many cool trips and prizes, but this one — you cannot put a price on it. Joey and his crew are going to talk about it for their lifetime.”

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Montreal — the youngest team in the post-season and last to clinch a spot — came back from a 2–0 deficit to force overtime in Game 1 on Monday night. But the Great 8 — Alex Ovechkin — lifted the Caps to a 3–2 win just 2:26 into OT. Fans think Martin St-Louis’ group is ready for tonight’s challenge.

Despite political tensions and trade talks, for these hockey fans heading to the U.S., it’s all about the game.

“There’s been talk of us organizing a sports trip to the U.S. It’s the playoffs. It’s the NHL. It’s not politics — it’s all about hockey. It’s all about going there, having a fun time, and giving these guys a unique experience,” Lalonde said.

“We’re just thrilled to follow the Canadiens on the road and be there tonight when they win — because they will win.”

Despite the high-end travel, not everyone in the group is used to flying private — or flying at all.

“I’ve traveled a lot, so it’s not really a problem,” said Massicotte. “There might be a couple people in our group feeling nervous about the flight, but otherwise, no stress at all. Not at all.”

Forget, clearly savoring the moment, also has high hopes for the team tonight.

“Yes, we have to win,” he said with a smile. “We don’t have a choice. Coming back to Montreal down 2–0 would hurt. If we come back tied 1–1, it’s a whole new series.”

Massicotte was even more confident.

“It’s a sure thing. We’re going to win,” he declared. “We’ll come back tied 1–1. It’ll go to Game 7, and the Canadiens will take it.”

Catch Game 2 tonight at 7 p.m. on Sportsnet.