MONTREAL — There’s nothing quite like Being There insisted the posters promoting a 1979 American comedy-drama that turned out to be Peter Sellers’ second-last film.
More than 40 years later, we learn that Being There is actually the next-best thing to being at the Bell Centre — at least on a night when the Canadiens are pulling off another miraculous playoff upset by knocking off the Penguins at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh.
The electrically charged home of the Habs was packed to the rafters Wednesday as 21,273 anted up a mere $7.50 to gather around as outstanding a centre-ice videoboard as you’re going to find.
The atmosphere, from the moments leading up to the opening faceoff to the final buzzer of a stunning 5-2 Montreal victory that eliminated the defending champs, was unfreakingbelievable.
As former Expos broadcaster Ron Reusch said: “They could have charged a hundred bucks for atmosphere like that.”
“All profits” from the event are supposed to go to the Canadiens Children’s Foundation and, especially if that includes the beer sales, the kids have much reason to smile this morning.
But the partying started in downtown Montreal well before game time.
The lineup to get into the Peel Pub, some six blocks from the rink, was 200 deep by 6 p.m. The Subway shop next to it was full of jersey-wearing Habs fans who were singing Ole, chanting Go Habs Go and blowing loud horns while waiting for their sandwiches.
There had to be more than 800 in line for a seat at the La Cage Aux Sports attached to the Bell Centre at 6:15 p.m. and, outside the building, all that was missing from the tailgate party usually held before playoff home games was the rock band.
Too bad, because it appeared to be a younger demographic than is generally rallying in the streets prior to a post-season tilt here. Probably because at less than $10, even students could finally afford to show up and cheer on the hometown heroes.
But while some fans bartered with scalpers and some carried planks imploring everyone to Touch The Wood for luck, the rest just revved up for the game.
Inside, there would be moments of sheer bedlam. Accompanied by moments of complete and utter nervousness.
The crowd booed loudly when Sidney Crosby was shown putting his skates on in the Penguins’ dressing room before the game, then cheered wildly when the camera moved to the Montreal quarters, where Hal Gill was the focus.
Sing along
When they realized they were supposed to stand for Jeff Jimerson’s singing of the anthems in Pittsburgh, they joined in to the version of O Canada. But with nobody to remind them there are Americans on the Habs roster, they booed during the Star Spangled Banner. At first, their jeering was at the song, but then at the Penguins shown on the TV during its playing.
After the familiar 'ARE YOU READDDDDDDY?' cry and with the RDS tandem of Pierre Houde and Benoit Brunet providing the commentary in French, there were a couple of early eruptions. First, when Crosby was given a penalty at the 13-second mark, then another when Brian Gionta gave the Habs the lead on the power play.
Alouettes cheerleaders did their thing from the front row, near the glass. Youppi wandered along the ice, near the boards. And a Touch the Wood box that looked a lot like a casket was placed just inside a Bell Centre blue line for the first period.
Soon it became evident the Penguins were going to need it, much to the delight of the masses.
The Ole singing started early. UFC star George St. Pierre ignited a thunderous cheer with his taped message of best wishes. They went berserk when seeing themselves on the telecast. Former Habs great Rejean Houle reminded folks on another taped clip that, while the Habs are “giving us exciting hockey,” to “celebrate with respect and dignity.”
If you didn’t have your doubts, you were not aware of the history of Habs’ celebrations in this city.
Dominic Moore makes it 2-0 and the place goes wild. New hero Mike Cammalleri sets them off again with his 12th of the playoffs. And you could feel the press box shake — despite the fact there were fewer than 20 occupants — when Travis Moen chased Marc-Andre Fleury to make it 4-zip.
That was nothing compared to what would come in the third period.
The Penguins had caused some serious anxiety with two goals and their buzzing around the Montreal net. But Jaroslav Halak had them on their feet with a couple of big saves, and Gionta set them jumping up and own with his breathe-easier goal to make it 5-2.
The euphoria continued as the Black Eyed Peas tune I Gotta a Feeling belted out over the sound system and everyone sang and danced along to it.
With one minute left and a three-goal cushion, the celebration kicked into another gear. More singing, the dancing, the screaming, the cheering, the sheer jubilation.
You would have sworn the game was, in fact, being played at the Bell Centre.
There could be nothing quite like Being There.
