The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Washington Capitals 6-3 in a thrilling Game 3, with a bench brawl, goalie injuries, and a sold-out crowd at Bell Centre.

In a high-energy Game 3 that had fans at the Bell Centre buzzing, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Washington Capitals 6-3 on Friday night, with drama unfolding at every turn. From a fiery bench brawl to both teams’ starting goalies being sidelined with injuries, this game was packed with excitement and intensity.

The Canadiens, trailing 2-0 in the best-of-seven playoff series, managed to claw back with a vengeance. Cole Caufield had a goal and an assist, while Christian Dvorak, Nick Suzuki, Alexandre Carrier, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Alex Newhook all contributed to Montreal’s stunning victory, bringing the series to 2-1 in Washington’s favor.

A Dramatic Finish: Injuries and Brawls Fuel Tensions

The game’s electric atmosphere was matched by its physicality. Sam Montembeault, who had been playing admirably, stopped 11 of 13 shots before leaving the game with an undisclosed injury. Jakub Dobes, the rookie goalie, stepped in to save seven of eight shots the rest of the way, ensuring Montreal’s lead was never challenged.

Meanwhile, Washington’s Logan Thompson faced heavy pressure and left the game after an injury in the third period, following a collision with Dylan Strome. Backup goalie Charlie Lindgren came in, but by then, the Canadiens had already taken control.

The game reached a boiling point late in the second period, when a physical altercation between Washington’s Tom Wilson and Montreal’s Josh Anderson turned into a full-blown bench brawl. Anderson was thrown backward into Washington’s open bench, and Wilson followed him in, shoving past a linesman to continue the altercation. The ensuing fight saw both Wilson and Anderson receive 10-minute misconducts and minor penalties for roughing, while Arber Xhekaj and Lars Eller received offsetting penalties for roughing as well.

Caufield, Dvorak, and Slafkovsky Lead the Charge

The action didn’t stop with the brawl. Caufield’s goal, scored with just nine seconds left in the second period, came off an interception and a beautiful cross-ice feed from Lane Hutson, making it 3-2 for Montreal. Washington responded quickly in the third period, with Alex Ovechkin tying the game just 2:39 into the period. But the Canadiens were ready to answer back.

Dvorak scored at 4:17, thanks to a deflected shot off Duhaime, putting Montreal ahead once again. Shortly after, Slafkovsky slotted in a pass from Caufield, making it 5-3 as Thompson exited in clear pain. Finally, Newhook sealed the victory with a power-play goal at 17:35, sending the Bell Centre into a frenzy of celebration.

A Historic Atmosphere at the Bell Centre

The Bell Centre was at its loudest since 2017, with a full crowd of Canadiens faithful chanting “Go Habs Go!” before the puck even dropped. Fans were amped up, waving flags, and making sure their presence was felt throughout the game. Their enthusiasm was palpable as they cheered on their team to a much-needed victory.

The energy in the building hit a peak when McMichael opened the scoring for Washington just 3:20 into the game. But Montreal was quick to respond, with Carrier’s late first-period goal tying things up. The lead changed hands several times, but the Canadiens’ offensive pressure and resilience in the face of adversity proved to be the deciding factor.

Lineup Changes and Future Prospects

Head coach Martin St. Louis made several lineup changes for Game 3, with Kasperi Kapanen replacing Patrik Laine, who was sidelined with an upper-body injury. Arber Xhekaj also returned to the lineup in place of Jayden Struble. Laine’s injury was a significant blow, as he had been a key player in previous games.

Washington, meanwhile, continued to miss the towering Aliaksei Protas, who had been out since April 4 with a skate cut on his foot. Despite his absence, the Capitals had managed to win the first two games of the series, but Montreal’s gritty play in Game 3 gave them the confidence they needed going into Game 4 on Sunday.

Looking Ahead to Game 4

The Canadiens’ win in Game 3 has shifted the momentum of the series. As the team heads back to the Bell Centre for Game 4, they will look to carry the energy and success from this thrilling victory into another must-win game.

Stay tuned to Maple News Wire as we continue to bring you the latest updates and in-depth analysis from the Montreal Canadiens’ playoff journey. Whether it’s player performances, injury updates, or game highlights, we’ll keep you informed every step of the way.

From the Diamond League opener to mixed doubles curling and NHL playoffs, here’s what to watch this weekend in Canadian sports.

Weekend Sports Preview: Diamond League, Playoffs & More!

Looking for the best sports events this weekend? Whether you’re a track and field enthusiast, a curling fan, or cheering on Canadian hockey teams in the playoffs, this weekend is packed with exciting action. Here’s a roundup of the top sports events to watch across Canada and beyond.

Track and Field: Diamond League Kicks Off

The Diamond League season is back, starting this Saturday in Xiamen, China, where world-class athletes compete for points and prize money. Canadian shot putter Sarah Mitton, last year’s Diamond League champion, is set to compete, alongside international stars like Chase Jackson and Gong Lijiao. Fans can catch the action live on CBC Gem and CBCSports.ca from 7-9 a.m. ET. This series is crucial for athletes aiming for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. Also featured are pole vaulting sensation Mondo Duplantis and Faith Kipyegon, the Kenyan middle-distance legend preparing for a four-minute mile attempt this summer.

On Sunday, long-distance legend Eliud Kipchoge returns to the London Marathon, vying for his fifth title after a disappointing performance at the Paris Olympics.

Curling: Canada’s Shot at Mixed Doubles Glory

In the world of mixed doubles curling, Canada is aiming for its first-ever world championship title. Despite being a global curling powerhouse, Canada has yet to secure a mixed doubles win since the event’s inception in 2008. However, Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant, who clinched the Canadian championship earlier this year, are back in action, ready to represent their country in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Will this be the year that Canada finally captures the elusive mixed doubles title?

NHL Playoffs: The Battle Intensifies

The NHL playoffs are heating up, with the Toronto Maple Leafs aiming to complete a sweep of the Ottawa Senators in their Game 4 matchup on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. The Winnipeg Jets look to bounce back after a tough 7-2 loss to St. Louis, while the Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers both find themselves down 2-0 in their respective series. These matchups are critical, and with a lot at stake, expect fierce competition and dramatic moments.

Game 4 for Montreal and Edmonton will take place on Sunday, with both teams needing to win on home ice to stay alive in their series.

NBA Playoffs: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Leads the Charge

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder are dominating their first-round series against Memphis, leading 3-0 after a thrilling comeback victory. Can they complete the sweep on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET? Meanwhile, Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets are looking to regroup after a tough loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Also, Dillon Brooks of the Houston Rockets is making an impact, and with Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin leading the Indiana Pacers, the Canadian contingent is poised for playoff glory.

NFL Draft: Canadians Await Their Call

The NFL Draft continues to make headlines as Canadians anxiously wait for their names to be called. Elic Ayomanor from Stanford is one of the top Canadian prospects, and many expect him to be selected in the third round. Canadian quarterbacks Kurtis Rourke and Taylor Elgersma are also hoping for a call on Saturday, with Elgersma aiming to become the first quarterback drafted from Canadian university football in decades.

Tennis: The Madrid Open and Canada’s Hopes

The Madrid Open continues with early-round action, and Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov are both eyeing strong performances. Bianca Andreescu is also in action, facing tough competition in the second round. Meanwhile, in the women’s doubles, Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe will begin their quest for a second clay title after their recent victory in Stuttgart.

Golf: The Chevron Championship and Zurich Classic

The Chevron Championship is in full swing, with Brooke Henderson aiming to make a push up the leaderboard. Meanwhile, in the men’s golf, Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor are tied for fifth in the Zurich Classic team event in New Orleans, showing promising signs of contention.

Sailing: Lewin-LaFrance Sisters in Medal Hunt

Canadian Olympic sailors Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance are in third place at the Grand Slam event in France, heading into Saturday’s 49erFX medal race. With strong performances in recent races, they’re looking to capture a podium spot.

Women’s Hockey: PWHL Returns

The PWHL resumes its regular season action after a brief break. Montreal leads the charge as they take on Ottawa on Saturday. The league’s top teams are in action, with exciting matchups including Toronto vs. Boston and New York vs. Minnesota.

Women’s Soccer: Northern Super League Heats Up

The Northern Super League returns to action, with Halifax hosting Calgary on Saturday and Ottawa welcoming Toronto on Sunday. The competition continues to build momentum as the league’s teams battle it out for supremacy.

Stay tuned to Maple News Wire as we bring you live coverage, analysis, and in-depth reports on all the major sports events this weekend. From the thrilling NBA playoffs to the world-class action in track and field, we’ll keep you updated on every game, race, and match that matters.

Canada’s economy faces serious challenges, but business leaders have outlined four crucial priorities to guide recovery and future growth, including AI, energy, and military production.

As Canada prepares for the upcoming election, the road to economic recovery is a hot topic. With years of stagnation, the nation faces an escalating trade war with the U.S., leaving whoever wins the election with the enormous task of rebuilding the economy. However, Canadian business leaders are optimistic, seeing this as a generational opportunity for growth.

Business leaders from various sectors have outlined four key priorities that they believe are critical for the country to revitalize its economy and stay competitive on the global stage. These priorities aim to capitalize on Canada’s existing strengths while addressing the pressing challenges posed by economic uncertainty and global tensions.

1. Speed Up Approvals for Natural Resources Projects

One of the most pressing concerns voiced by Canadian energy executives is the need to accelerate the approval process for energy infrastructure projects. François Poirier, CEO of TC Energy, highlighted the importance of strengthening Canada’s economic sovereignty by enabling faster development of natural gas and energy resources.

“We can do this by delivering energy security and enabling emission reductions for our allies through exporting Canadian liquefied natural gas,” Poirier said.

The recent trade tensions, particularly with the U.S., underscore the urgency of enhancing Canada’s energy infrastructure. In response, both the Conservative and Liberal parties have promised to speed up the approval processes for energy projects, including pipelines and renewable energy systems, to bolster energy security and meet international demands.

Despite some regulatory hurdles, energy CEOs have called for a streamlined process to ensure projects proceed without unnecessary delays, stressing that Canada must seize this critical opportunity to lead on the global stage.

2. Remove Interprovincial Trade Barriers

Canada’s internal trade barriers have long been an obstacle to economic growth, restricting businesses from operating seamlessly across provinces. Richard Dias, macro strategist at IceCap Asset Management, described the removal of these barriers as the “dumbest and easiest problem to solve.”

A 2019 IMF study concluded that removing these barriers could lead to a 3.8% rise in Canada’s GDP per capita, with smaller provinces like P.E.I. potentially seeing GDP increases of up to 16%. These findings underscore the potential benefits of eliminating unnecessary restrictions on interprovincial trade.

As the federal government continues to work on eliminating certain federal exceptions within the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, leaders and analysts alike urge the new government to prioritize this issue to unlock economic potential.

3. Manufacture Military Equipment

With defense spending set to rise, Canada has an opportunity to capitalize on military equipment manufacturing. Both the Liberal and Conservative parties have committed to meeting NATO’s defense spending target of 2% of GDP, which would require an additional $12 billion per year.

David Perry, president of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, emphasized that defense spending has a significant multiplier effect on the economy. Every dollar spent on defense creates roughly two jobs and generates double the economic activity through direct and indirect channels.

Canada is already home to several key manufacturers of military equipment, including armored vehicles and drones. By investing in military production, Canada could not only boost its economic output but also create new high-paying jobs, benefiting both local communities and the national economy.

4. Leverage Canada’s AI Advantage

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a major economic driver, and Canada is well-positioned to lead the world in this field. Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio, two of the biggest names in AI, are leading groundbreaking research at Canadian universities, making Canada a hub for AI innovation.

In a recent TED talk, Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google, remarked on Canada’s ability to provide the necessary energy infrastructure for AI data centers, noting Canada’s abundant hydroelectric power as a strategic advantage. Schmidt called on the country to position itself as a global AI leader, leveraging its natural resources to fuel innovation.

While the Liberals have committed to investing $2.4 billion in AI, the Conservative platform suggests scaling back investment. Regardless of the election outcome, AI investment will be key to driving future growth, with the potential to create millions of high-tech jobs and strengthen Canada’s global competitiveness.

Will Canada Seize the Opportunity?

While the next prime minister will inherit a challenging economic landscape, the priorities outlined by business leaders provide a roadmap for recovery. From accelerating energy infrastructure projects to removing interprovincial trade barriers, these steps can pave the way for a stronger, more resilient Canadian economy.

However, the real challenge will be executing these priorities effectively, particularly in a time of economic uncertainty. As we look ahead, the future of Canada’s economy hinges on its ability to capitalize on its strengths, such as natural resources, manufacturing, and AI innovation. But only time will tell if the new government will take the necessary steps to unlock the full potential of the Canadian economy.

Stay tuned to Maple News Wire as we continue to follow these developments and bring you the latest insights into Canada’s economic recovery efforts. As the country faces a critical juncture, we’ll be closely watching how policymakers and business leaders shape the future of Canada’s economy in the face of global challenges.