Darche delivers as Habs down Devils
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(PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MONTREAL CANADIENS)
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NEWARK, N.J. -- ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ graduate scored the game-winner and set up another as the Montreal Canadiens rallied for three unanswered goals en route to a 3-1 road win over the New Jersey Devils before 17,625 at Prudential Center, Friday.
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Darche, a native of St. Laurent, Que., who was recalled from the club's American Hockey League affiliate in Hamilton on Tuesday, scored his first of the season in only his second game wearing a Canadiens jersey. It marked his first NHL marker since April 5, 2008 when he sored for Tampa Bay in a game against Atlanta. It was also the first Habs goal by a ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ hockey grad since Jack ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ tallied five times in the 1936-37 season.
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"Mathieu knows what works for him and it doesn't matter where he's used, whether on the fourth or second line -- he plays the same," Habs coach Jacques Martin said. "He's effective going to the net, winning some battles and providing good puck support."
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Tied 1-1 in the second period, Darche battled for position in front of goaltender Martin Brodeur before redirecting a blast from the right point by Brian Gionta for a 2-1 lead.
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The Habs extended the lead to 3-1 on a perfectly executed tic-tac-toe play in the Devils' end. The triangular passing play went from Darche behind the net to Andrei Markov in the left circle to Mike Cammalleri in the right circle. Cammalleri then unleashed a rocket past a helpless Brodeur for a two-goal cushion.
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"It's one game and now we have to move ±«ÓãÖ±²¥," Darche told the media after the game. "Tomorrow (Saturday) I gotta prove myself again and on Sunday... again. I'll enjoy it now, its a big win butwhen tomorrow comes, I've gotta move on."
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The Canadiens return home to Bell Centre on Saturday to play host to the New York Rangers.
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SOURCE: Earl Zukerman, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ Athletics & Recreation (514-398-7012)