COVID-19 restrictions have prevented Molson Export from getting fans inside the Bell Centre, so instead, they found another way to get the fans behind their beloved team for the Habs' first home game of the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Hosted on social media, Molson Export ran a contest that allowed Habs fans to show their support for the team, and get the chance to have their name featured on the Molson Export banner, displayed behind the players sitting on the bench.
What better way is there to celebrate the fans than letting them do what they do best: showing the Habs they are behind them as they go for their 25th Stanley Cup in franchise history?
Just take Jessica Landry and Christina Spencer. These great friends and true Habs fans were two winners who had their names featured side by side on the Molson Export banner. What qualified them as diehard fans? If a picture speaks a thousand words, then a tattoo speaks infinitely! Talk about being forever fans.
Husband and wife Nirav and Sonia (Masand) Patel submitted their wedding photos, showing off their wedding hashtag, #tequilaklipze, printed on the back of an official Habs jersey. It was showcased at their wedding parade, where they also repped their favourite player.
Long-time fan Olivier St-Cyr told his story of being introduced to the Habs by his father. He's remained a loyal fan ever since, cheering on the Canadiens every single year. It's this story that won him his name on the Molson Export banner.
"It's during the hard times that you recognize the real ones," said Olivier, referring to being the true Habs fan that he is. Olivier submitted a photo of himself with a Molson Export in anticipation of seeing his name behind his favourite team and saying "ready for the game!" — now that's a true fan.
Dedication of this calibre from the likes of Landry, Spencer, the Patels and St-Cyr is what puts Montreal Canadiens fans in a league of their own. It's legendary, and it's what makes the Habs' fan base one of most recognizable in the NHL.
