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Ivan Barbashev plays Ice Hockey, in Montreal Canada, in August? No way.

Bruce Bennett

WAY Eh?

For those that don't follow me on this social media blackhole called "twitter," I went on vacation to Canada last week.

Prepping for the trip, I tried looking for live hockey in Montreal, Toronto and Buffalo region. (Yes, I know Buffalo isn't in Canada. It's where we flew in and out of). No live ice hockey could be found. I was sad.. but still excited to see the sights and enjoy what Canada has to offer (thanks for not showing up JB and CD, fuckers.)

DURING the trip, I saw Ivan Barbashev tweet that he was looking forward to the preseason tourney in Montreal.

I replied asking what tourney, when and where, hoping to catch a glimpse of not only LIVE ICE HOCKEY, but one of our very own prospects in action. I was sad. He did not reply. I googled and tweeted and asked everyone if they knew about it... no one did.

Eventually, my Montreal contact sent a message with two possibilities as to where the games were. Both in suburbs of Montreal, WHILE I WAS STILL THERE ! ! !

The tourney was a preseason tourney (National Junior Team Summer Development Camp) for the upcoming World Junior Championships. Montreal was hosting, Canada, Russia, Czech, and Sweden. I believe other cities in Canada were hosting other teams.

Very long story long, we finally found the tourney, in the 2nd period with 12 minutes left. UGH. They wanted $30 for us to go in for the rest of the game. I said no fucking way... (okay, I might have just said, no way). After stewing about it for 5 or 10 minutes, one of the "suits" with a Canadian badge on, who looked like he was in charge, told us to follow him in. So we attended for free... fuckin eh? Fuckin AA, Eh?

Arena was on college compass with very few in attendance. Mostly scouts and suits. We found Ivan. #16. Not only did we find him, he scored a fucking incredible goal on a partial breakaway/2 on 1. Forehand, Backhand, top shelf over the glove (or blocker, I can't remember). Anyway. It was beautiful. Did I mention we got to see LIVE ICE HOCKEY, IN CANADA?!?!?!?

Anyway, I yelled at him after the 2nd period, he barely noticed me.

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Notice, he's their Captain.

His goal made it 3-0 Russia. They were controlling the game.

Final was 5-0 Russia.

After the game, I again tried talking (not yelling this time) to Ivan as he was coming off the ice.

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He was able to see "The Kid" and I wearing the Bluenote. I told him he played a great game and his goal* was awesome... He thanked me and then proceeded to try and hand his stick to "The Kid." She was well behaved and didn't grab it. He then said, "Here, take my stick." How awesome is that?

We were both thrilled at this whole adventure to watch Live Hockey. Not only Live Hockey, but one the Blues very own prospects, in a foreign nation, while on vacation. Totally fucking awesome...

Anyway, here are several other pics. Warning, they are typical "fan" pics. (Read, blurry, bad color balance, and often not very good content.)

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What a great experience. Plus, we got in free, and got a free game used stick from a Blues prospect.

Hoped you enjoyed our story and pics. Hope I didn't brag too much. (I did, sorry I'm not sorry.)

DanGNR

Please make sure that any content you post is appropriate to Game Time, which means that it pertains to hockey, the Blues, and frosty adult beverages.

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