Montreal Canadiens fans on P.E.I. will be cheering loud for Game 3

In his room covered withMontreal Canadiensmemorabilia in Cornwall, P.E.I., Nick Peardongets ready for Game 3 of the StanleyCup final.

His beloved Canadiens will be returning homewhere they will be taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning last year's Stanley Cup champions facing a 2-0 deficit in the series.

"First Stanley Cup final game in Montreal in 28 years," Peardon said. "Habs are going back home down 2-0 in the series so definitely a bit of amomentum swing."

Peardonwas born the year that the Habs last won a Stanley Cup and describes himself as a lifelong fan.He and his twin brother have decked out one room in the house as a shrine to the team, even down to the proper deep red shade of paint.

For Friday night's game, he plans to watch at homeso he can soak in every moment of it.

"This is something that I have always dreamed of," Peardon said.

"Certainly want to make the most of it and hopefully we can get another Stanley Cup back in Canada."

Businesses see playoff boost

Venues that have been showingthe games have seen a boost in businessthrough the playoffs.

At the Dooly's in Summerside, P.E.I., they are polishing the pitchers and warming up the big screen. Management said business has been booming during the team'ssuccessful playoff run.

"Oh it's great for us. There is lots of Montreal fans here in Summersideso we are expecting a big crowdtonight," said manager Karla Flynn.

Public health restrictions remain in place so only 100 people will be permitted inside Dooly's allowed to take theirmasks off when seated.

Flynn said she expects a full house when the games are on.

"Everyone wants to come and watch the Canadian teams," Flynn said.

Showing off team pride

Sports gear retailers have been seeing more customers coming in to pick up jerseys and swag to show their support for the Canadian teams.

First with the Toronto Maple Leafsand now with the Montreal Canadiens making it to the final.

"It's a little bit of a frenzy, actually. Before the Habs, of course, Toronto were expected to do more, so I sold a lot of Toronto inventory," said Marco Thorne, owner of API Hockey Pros.

"Now with Montreal, what you see here is basically what I have left. I have sold a lot locally and online too."

He said online sales have been strong throughout thepandemic especially for Canadian teams.

Some people have been showing theirteam pride at work a way to tell who customers are cheering for based on their reaction to seeing the Montreal team gear on display.

Doug Adams at NAPA Auto Parts in Charlottetownsaid he first started putting decorationsup when Montreal eliminated Toronto from the playoffs.

"Some people were kind of disgruntled coming in some people were cheering kind of getting it both ways," said Adams.

"You can tell the difference between who cheers for who kind of thing."

The puck will drop tonight and no matter how things go, Peardon said new fans are always welcome.

"For me, the more the merrier," Peardon said. "It's definitely something that's bringing a lot of people together as a country."

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