Yvan Cournoyer fires up the Bell Centre

MONTREAL – The passing of the torch continues. 

Playoff hockey returned to Montreal on Friday night as the Canadiens-Lightning series resumed with Game 3 at the Bell Centre. Habs Alum and Hockey Hall of Famer Yvan Cournoyer was on hand to kick things off during the electric pregame ceremonies, bringing the iconic torch – live flame and all – from outdoors in Canadiens Plaza to inside the arena and “igniting” the bowl, getting the fans fired up. 

Watch the moment below:

The torch has long been part of Canadiens lore. It is a reference to the line from the famous poem In Flanders Fields by John McCrae: “To you from failing hands we throw the torch / Be yours to hold it high.” Those words have been displayed in the Canadiens locker room since 1952 and are also now inscribed on the inside collar of Habs jerseys. 

A different Canadiens Alum will continue the tradition of carrying the torch at each home playoff game this spring.