The Battle of Quebec

The Battle of Quebec

Roots and Origins

The Montreal Canadiens were, since the demise of the Montreal Wanderers and Quebec Bulldogs, the only NHL team in the provence of Quebec - but in 1979, when the WHA and the NHL merged, the provence of Quebec had a new team: The Quebec Nordiques.

In the next 16 NHL seasons, these two teams played in the same divison and often with very good teams, which predictably caused a fierce rivalry to form when they would meet in the playoffs - which came to be known as "The Battle of Quebec".

The "Battles" happened in 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987 and lastly in 1993. Their firce rivalry ended in 1996, when the Nordiques moved to Denver and became the Colorado Avalanche - and since then, the two teams have yet to meet in the playoffs.

The Battles

1982 NHL Playoffs

In 1982, the two teams met for the first time in the Adams Division Semifinals, which went took all five games (of what was then a five game series), which was won by the Nordiques.

1984 NHL Playoffs

In 1984, the rivalry was taken to new levels with the game six "Good Friday Brawl", a bench-clearing fight started at the end of second period (ending when both teams were ushered to their dressing rooms) and started up once again at the beginning of the third period - which was then followed by the Nordiques falling apart and dropping a 2-0 lead and losing the game and the series.

1985 NHL Playoffs

In 1985 the series was just as intense as it was in 1984, but this time the benches remained full. The Nordiques took the series to seven games (including a memorable save in game seven, when Mario Gosselin took a slapslot to the throat and fell to the ice - then got up finished the game) - and won the series with an overtime goal by Peter Stasny.

1987 NHL playoffs

The 1987 battle of Quebec ranks as the the most controversial series between the two teams - in game five, a Nordiques goal was called back by Kerry Fraiser late in the third period; if it had counted, it would have put the Nordiques ahead late in the game and (if they had won) a 3-2 series lead. After being called back, however, the Canadiens won in overtime. The Nordiques then won game six at home, tying the series, but lost game seven at the Montreal Forum.

1993 NHL Playoffs

In the last Battle of Quebec, the Nordiques (Who had missed every playoffs since 1988) faced the Canadiens in the first round - and quickly won the first two games. In game three, however, the Canadiens won in overtime - as well as the next three games, as they win the series 4 - 2.