On December 30, the Montreal Canadiens’ game against the Florida Panthers sparked enthusiasm among the Quebec diaspora, who turned out in large numbers for the holiday game, which has become a tradition at Amerant Arena in Sunrise, Florida.
The game was a treat for fans as the Florida Panthers scored two goals in the third period, courtesy of Brad Marchand and Sam Reinhart, to take a 2-0 lead over the Montreal Canadiens. Then, with 4:27 left in the game, Cole Caufield scored, followed by Nick Suzuki with 1:22 left to tie the game. It was also Suzuki who secured the victory for the Canadiens in overtime, with 1:36 left in the game.
The Bell Centre under palm trees
Thousands of Quebecers made it seem as if Montreal’s Bell Centre was literally in Florida. “This year, the atmosphere was electric,” said Ruth Asselin of Saint-Camille, who has been attending the game with her family every year for the past five or six years while they are in Florida for the holidays. “There was a great atmosphere, we had a great game, and the end of the third period was really explosive!”
According to the hockey fan, while there is always excitement every year, there was even more at this game in Sunrise on December 30. “When the Canadiens won, the fans were chanting ‘Olé, Olé,’ and on the escalators after the exciting end of the game, they were still chanting ‘Olé, Olé.’”
For Benoît Laporte of Transport BMA in St-Hyacinthe, it wasn’t the first time he attended a Panthers game in Florida, but it was the first time against the CH during the holiday season. “There were a lot of Quebecers there,” he says proudly and enthusiastically. “It was a really good game, with a super fun ending and a really cool atmosphere,” he adds cheerfully. An experience to be repeated? “Definitely,” replies the entrepreneur, who was happy to be able to attend this traditional game. “There were Panthers fans and lots of Canadiens fans, which made for quite a contrast,” with perhaps more CH fans than Panthers fans, but no animosity, he said. As he says, everyone is entitled to their favorite team!
Marie-Lou Gagnon from Quebec City, a true hockey fan, agreed. Although she wasn’t in Florida that evening (she arrived the next day), she devoured the game on her TV in Quebec. As she told us, it was a captivating game, unlike any other game that lasts so long at 0-0 until the third period, “because throughout, on both sides, there were big plays and big saves. So it was a really fun game to watch, even though there weren’t many goals at the start.”
A first Winter Classic in Florida
Marie-Lou also attended the first NHL Winter Classic in Florida on January 2, 2026, at Marlins Park in Miami, where the Florida Panthers lost to the New York Rangers 5-1.
This event marked the first outdoor hockey game of the regular season in the Sunshine State, as well as the southernmost outdoor game in NHL history!
The game offered fans an unforgettable experience in a unique outdoor setting, complete with an open-air rink thanks to the stadium’s open roof: « On one side, there was a very Floridian setting, made of sand, with beach chairs, umbrellas, and lifeguard stations; while on the other side, the decor was more New York-style with snow to represent the Rangers. During the game, people were sunbathing on one side while others were skating on the other, » said the Quebec native, who also attended the Colorado Avalanche game against the victorious Florida Panthers on January 4 (2-1), her second team when the CH is not in Florida.
Isn’t that what you call true hockey fans?
The Panthers’ next game against the Canadiens will take place at the Bell Centre in Montreal on January 8.
