Samuel Montembeault doesn’t need to be reminded how critical this week is.
He knows it. He saw it. Between the close matches that follow one another and the excessive expectations that weigh on his shoulders, the Quebec goalkeeper seems to be carrying alone a burden that is becoming unbearable.
This morning, in front of the media, Montembeault tried to remain calm, but his words suggested a mixture of resignation and combativeness.
“With so many consecutive games, the key is really to manage my body well off the ice”he explained, almost mechanically.
But in reality, he knows that it’s not all about training or physical management.
Saturday night against Vegas, Montembeault had a golden opportunity.
Stanley Cup champion Adin Hill stood at the other end of the ice, giving Montembeault a chance to prove he could compete with an elite goaltender.
Instead, the evening turned into a nightmare.
Five goals conceded on 25 shots, apathetic defense, and this fifth goal conceded to Zach Whitecloud, as innocuous as it is symbolic: Montembeault was alone, abandoned.
Martin St-Louis tried to defend him afterwards.
“It wasn’t his fault”he said.
But even with verbal support from his coach, the damage was done.
The next day, against Utah, Montembeault hoped for a rebound. But the scenario repeated itself. No defensive support, costly mistakes, and a goalkeeper who seemed to sink a little deeper into his doubts.
“It hasn’t been easy, but I have to keep doing my best”confided Montembeault after training this morning.
Still, frustration showed in his tone. He knows that his performances are not enough and that, in such a crucial week, every match counts double.
And the timing couldn’t have been worse.
With the imminent announcement of the rosters for the 4 Nations Showdown, Montembeault saw his hopes of representing Team Canada extinguished before even taking shape.
His 3.08 goals-against average and .899 save percentage leave no room for interpretation. In a league where performance is everything, these numbers put him well out of the discussion.
But Team Canada’s exclusion is just a symptom of a deeper problem.
In Montreal, Montembeault is fighting not only to stay relevant, but to simply maintain his place.
This summer, Kent Hughes was already exploring other options, with strong interest in Yaroslav Askarov.
Meanwhile, Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler wait their turn, racking up solid performances at Laval and Boston College.
For Montembeault, each match becomes an audition. But even with this pressure, he remains lucid. “Every stop counts. Every mistake pays for itself in cash”he said.
However, at this rate, the errors accumulate, and the silence around his name becomes heavier and heavier.
Montembeault must now prove that he can weather this storm. But after such a trying week, doubts persist.
Does he still have the strength to get up? Or will this week mark the beginning of the end for the good guy from Bécancour?
One thing is certain: Montembeault must respond, and quickly. Because in the cruel world of hockey, dreams are extinguished as quickly as they are born.
To be continued…
