Head coach Dominique Ducharme said he’s “so happy to be back” with the Montreal Canadiens ahead of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday.
Ducharme tested positive for COVID-19 on June 18, ahead of Game 3 of the Canadiens’ semifinal series against the Vegas Golden Knights, and was required to isolate for 14 days. Friday marks the end of that quarantine period, with Ducharme getting the official go-ahead Thursday to rejoin the team for Friday’s morning skate.
Dominique Ducharme is officially back with the @CanadiensMTL ahead of Game 3 tonight. #ItsOn | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/8RifkAEsam
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 2, 2021
He’ll now resume his role behind the bench in Montreal as the Canadiens look to cut their 2-0 Cup Final series deficit in half Friday night.
During Ducharme’s absence, assistant coach Luke Richardson stepped in and guided the club past Vegas, winning two of three games to close out that series.
On Friday, Ducharme also expressed to reporters his disappointment that the team won’t be permitted to open up the Bell Centre to more fans.
The Canadiens’ home is currently limited to 3,500 fans inside. The organization submitted a request to open up to 10,500 fans for the Stanley Cup Final, but that bid was denied by Quebec’s public health authorities earlier this week.
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