This is the game Jonathan Bernier has been waiting for, ever since his first game in net. Bernier, who grew up in Laval, Quebec — less than a half-hour drive northwest of Montreal — will get a chance to play professionally in his hometown for the first time.
Bernier, born in 1988, really isn’t old enough to have seen Patrick Roy’s glory days in Montreal — and isn’t that a scary thought? — but Bernier is trying to become part of the French-Canadian goalie legacy that extends from Jacques Plante to Bernie Parent to Rogie Vachon to Martin Brodeur and others. Quebec is well-known for its goalies. It studies them and revers them, and after Tuesday’s practice, Bernier was surrounded by media and had to do two sessions, one in French and one in English.
BERNIER: “Obviously it’s going to be a great night. I can’t really put any pressure on myself. It’s just another game, and I’ve just got to focus on details and not really focus on the big picture, being in Montreal in front of my family. I’ve just got to make that a positive.”
Question: One of the (French-speaking) reporters asked you about Carey Price, and the comparison there…
BERNIER: “I told them I went through the same stuff in the American Hockey League, but I just think that because he was in Montreal, it was 10 times worse. I just said that when you come out from that low, you’re just a stronger person, a stronger goalie.”
Question: How long have you been looking forward to playing in this game?
BERNIER: “Obviously, I’ve been watching the Montreal Canadiens for a long time. When I was really young, I was hoping to play (for them). When you’re young, you try to see yourself out there. I was hoping to get drafted by Montreal when I was young, but now it’s going to be a great feeling.”
Question: How many people will you have at the game?
BERNIER: “That’s a tough question. Probably over 60, 70. I’m not paying for all the tickets. [laughs]”
Question: How much do you remind yourself to focus on the game? This is an important game for the team…
BERNIER: “That’s the thing. I don’t want to take all of the media thing on me because I’m playing in Montreal. Obviously we’re not playing as well as we want right now, and we’ve got to find a way to turn things around, and I think it’s going to be a great challenge tomorrow for us. They’re a great team. I think both of us are great teams. We just have to stick to our game plan and play the way that we’re capable of playing.”
As for coach Terry Murray, he made the call to start Bernier in Montreal, with the full understanding of the pressure involved for the goalie. Murray seemed to take something of a “man up” approach, saying that he wanted Bernier to embrace the situation and learn to respond to the pressure in situations such as this one.
MURRAY: “It’s his home (but) that’s not the main motivation. We have a road trip going on, and we’ve got four games. When you look at it, at the training camp, and you’re trying to put together a schedule for the goaltenders, this seemed to fit for me. I’ve always felt that a player coming back home, there’s always adrenaline. The family is here. There is a lot of emotion in it, and because of who he is, I believe he’s going to respond the right way.”
I hope Bernier plays great tomorrow because the Kings need to end this roadtrip on a high note after the emotional roller coaster of the last few games!
Quick plea here, please no comments on last night’s replay goal!
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I think this is one of those games where Bernier either gets blown out or stands on his head. Prime opportunity to show what he’s got.
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this is going to be a tough one and it’s Quick that needs to be in net tomorrow night. I don’t care whose hometown it is, but I don’t understand why our best goalie is not starting against the top teams..JB is going to fold again under pressure…
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pr0cess Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 2:11 pm
@kororr, ill tell you who is going to fail tomorrow, the PP and then JJ again…
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kororr Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 3:23 pm
@pr0cess,
yeah i can see that happening..jj really needs to step it up and avoid stupid penalties and horrible turnovers…
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taz42 Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 3:36 pm
@pr0cess, They brought up Martinez to help on the pp. Why didn’t they just bring up the pp coach from there too? Sure couldn’t hurt any.
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puck73 Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 6:25 pm
@taz42, Drum Roll, Symbol Slash !
Gary Livingston Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 2:14 pm
@kororr, forcing Bernier into these high pressure situations is just going to make him a more reliable back up goaltender when it is later in the season and he HAS to take a game like this.
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Sancho Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 3:50 pm
@Gary Livingston, I doubt it though. Well, we’ll see?!?! I don’t have much faith though. I hope HE does! I love your optimism however…
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Bill M. Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 2:27 pm
@kororr, Backup goalies come in two varieties: the Aging Veteran, and the young goalie who is trying to find his NHL game. You treat the two very different, because one is a veteran who is there purely as a backup. The other is a prospect, and you have to groom him for a bigger role, or at least groom him and showcase him enough to get a good trade value.
A lot of people on here seem to be expecting Bernier will be treated like the veteran. why?
Bottom Line. He’s not a washed up Vet with no greater potential. He’s a prospect. He should be treated like a prospect. Would you want DL to call up Schenn and Loktionov just to have them be healthy scratches and never face tough opponents? No. So why do you expect that treatment for Bernier?
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40 year fan Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 2:53 pm
@Bill M., Finally! Someone who isn’t just wining and second guessing. Great, accurate post!
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kororr Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 3:27 pm
@Bill M.,
i understand that he is not a vet and its possible he has a future so he is getting playing time. however can u honestly disagree he shouldnt be starting against top teams? play him against florida or the hurricanes or the oilers,no problem. otherwise, whats the point of having a number 1 goalie if he sits all the top games. and no, schenn and lokti belong in the minors to get better. but u cant comare the 2. if bernier isnt starting and is just the back up he is still dressed adn ready to go for the game.
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Bill M. Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 3:34 pm
@kororr, I can honestly disagree. the losses we risk now are not nearly as important as the games he might win for us later if we make the sacrifice to get him used to the pressure now.
danlikespez Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 6:29 pm
@kororr
I agree with Bill M.
Give Bernie a chance. We shouldn’t be panicking this early in the season. You gotta play your prospects and yes against good teams. It’s about the long term.
Besides your gonna have to eat your words when Bernie locks it down tomorrow. =P
puck73 Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 6:26 pm
@Bill M., Hello, my name is Eric Ersberg and I approve this message.
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brian spain Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 10:42 pm
@puck73, Bill M. every game now counts as a possible two points, just as important as the last five games of the season. Quick is a young stud goalie, he should play every game unless he is tired. Bernier needs to learn how to catch the puck with out giving up HUGE rebounds all game long. He is not steady, and he must not be practicing very well. I say you earn a start only if your #1 is tired. Play the goalie who gives your team the BEST chance to win each night.
kingfisher Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 8:49 pm
@kororr, agree totally why are we playing bernier on the road in a pressure building when we have one of the top 3 netminders in the league in quickie…….and he has been better than good we need the win bad ……….very bad call murray..who cares where hes from we need wins period……and put quick in and play bernier every ten games or so………thats the way we are going to be successful,period
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oscar Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 9:32 pm
@kororr, exactly…..who cares whos hometown it is. I personally do not see the upgrade from EE and also think Quick should be in goal. And regarding JJ, well…when you handle the puck as often as he does he will make mistakes. I dont think there is anything to worry about, when it comes to his play, he will be OK. I am more concerned with Kopitar, who is supposed to be our super strar. I think he is streaky has yet to excell during the big games. Great play from Stoll and Williams…Hurry back Willie….
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Hopefully his teammates are motivated and understand how important this game is to their goalie and step up….
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–Off Topic Alert–
Remember Ivanans and his epic fight at the beginning of the season against Edmonton?
Here’s an update:
http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=842757
Continued concussion symptoms…
As I said at the time, his career might be over…
Now, the SiriusXM Power Play guys including Espo are agreeing with me…
Just Sayin’…
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VanKingsFan Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 2:32 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, Poor guy… comes with the job description unfortunately. Love fighting in hockey, but i also love when it arises out of passion, not simply because two enforcers are out there.
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I think it is a great idea for Bernier to start and get used to nerves and pressure. It will serve us well down the road !!!
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Kings not Big on Trade Talk
http://www.ottawasun.com/sports/columnists/chris_stevenson/2010/11/23/16275941.html?utm_source=bleacherreport.com
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Will you trade Bernier for Price?
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VanKingsFan Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 2:48 pm
@Harry, I would if they offered it today
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puck73 Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 6:28 pm
@VanKingsFan, These are the kind of trades that set your organization back. Its important that you let draft picks develop.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 3:20 pm
@Harry, @VKF,
Great question?
I’ll pose another:
Who would you have wanted at the end of 2009-2010?
–Each year is different.
–Both are excellent.
–Every fan wants THIS YEAR’S hottest goalie!
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Bill M. Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 3:20 pm
@Harry, No. Quick is very good, but I still think Bernier has the potential to reach some crazy kind of other-levelness. He may look weak now, but he just needs grooming, mentoring, and experience. Sure there is a chance he busts, but Quick gives us the time to be patient with him, and there is, I think, a larger than normal chance that he turns out to be legendary. And given that possibility, the LAST thing I want to see, is the Kings facing Bernier in Montreal in the Stanley Cup finals two or three years from now. We’ve been on the receiving end of that story before.
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DellaNooch Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 5:20 pm
@Harry, I wouldn’t trade Ersberg for Price, the guy has been the league around 4 years and he’s inconsistent. Reality is that Montreal needs to start grooming another goaltender as their backup plan is now in St.Louis.
Bernier has dominated at all levels, however, he didn’t dominate immediately. Give him some time and he’ll kick it up a notch. Quick and Bernier will be a good tandem for a few years to come.
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Swami5 Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 6:48 pm
@DellaNooch,
What hockey do you watch?? Price has been one of the better goalies this season. He IS the goalie today, and will only continue to get better, he’s all of 23 years old! It’s unfortunate that he plays in Montreal, he was scrutinized a ton last year (rightfully so) and was ultimately out played by another good goalie in Halak.
Carey Price 2010-2011 stats thus far
12-7-1 (1st in the league in wins) 2.05 GAA (4th best) .932 Save % (3rd) 4 shutouts (1st)
Yeah, who would want this guy???
(Except us Kings fans since we go Quickness and JB on lock!)
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Swami5 Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 6:49 pm
@Swami5,
*got
i know this is rally off subject but im going to put it out there.
Westgarth im sorry..you are pure garbage. other than fighting you are useless.
the 1st line..please please please get King off the 1st line and try yet another person. we need someone on that line if we are going to be effective this season.
Kyle Clifford should get a shot on the first line. his play has been way better than King..
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Anon242 Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 3:17 pm
@OC KINGS FAN, you notice how the first line is a revolving door? Sad really
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Jay GoLAKings Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 3:19 pm
@OC KINGS FAN,
http://www.senatorsextra.com/feature/game-file-kings-at-senators/
Check out them knuckles
Westgarth lost this one
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pr0cess Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 3:34 pm
@Jay GoLAKings, And if we had no westie, it would be blah we need someone to protect the team…
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kororr Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 3:29 pm
@OC KINGS FAN, how about Scuderi on first line? im down!
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kinginsaltlake Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 6:15 am
@kororr, Richardson should be on our frist line!!!!!!!!
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How did we lose that game last night ?? I’m watching it and it’s like in slow motion – just down the drain – another lead – gone – need a goal on the PP – gone – guys to play better on D – gone – Ottawa blows – how did we lose – and another note- who taught wesgarth to fight – can we get an actual fighter – because he’s not it – you got handled by a middleweight – who by the way is a clown – he hasn’t won a fight against a true heavyweight yet – and is going to get hurt bad when he does match up with Goddard – Boggie – big mac – orr – dj king – janssen – bissonette – or any of the others -
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KC23 Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 12:51 am
@dirtmover, So true. We should beat a crap team like that by 3 goals. Got to give their goaltender a little credit, he kept them in the game.
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I’m looking at the big picture and glad we are not over working Quick again. The rest is just fluff. Like some others here I’m more concerned about the JJ/Greene defensive pairing and the PP.
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puck73 Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 6:30 pm
@KC23, When Willie comes back, everything will be fine but for right now hold your breath.
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im tying the noose now. don’t worry, its big enough for everyone. Especially the non believers who think we are going the win the cup every year. Yeah we always start off hot, but then crash. Finally, welcome to reality. but damn refs from last night. Yeah everytime we r in canada thats what happens. remember toronto last year? I do.
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Gotta believe Bernier’s head is in the right place. All of his answers are US, WE and OUR, not I , Me, Mine. Now if he has to stand on that head,so be it.
Just want the 2 pts boys.
Go Kings
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Some dreams do come true. Time to shine Bernier. I think you are up to the challenge. Let’s get that W!
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Bernier’s dream was to be drafted by Montreal and to play in Montreal. I think that IS his biggest motivation going into tomorrow’s game.
Maybe someday the Kings can trade him to Montreal for a scorer (who said Cammalleri?).
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KC23 Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 12:48 am
@King John, Yeah, if they ever get one.
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Happy with Bernier starting. We need both goalies winning games and Bernier seems like he’s due. In front of the hometown fans no less.
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Let’s all get behind who ever is our goalie
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