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Ivan Demidov's subtle stick theft sets up key goal at Bell Centre


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Elias Edmonson
January 21, 2026  (9:45)
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Jan 20, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov (93) plays the puck and Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber (7) defends during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

We were treated to a rather special scene last night at the Bell Centre, involving the young Montreal Canadiens forward, Ivan Demidov.

I don't know if others noticed it, but before the third goal of the game (the Canadiens' second), Ivan Demidov literally stole a stick.
Demidov stayed engaged in the play, stole a stick in passing, then kept the puck alive.
A few seconds later, Alexandre Carrier jumped into the play and made the Minnesota Wild pay.
That kind of sequence always makes us laugh.
Demidov isn't a veteran, but he's already playing with rare poise.

A subtle move by Ivan Demidov that immediately led to the goal scored by Alexandre Carrier

It wasn't legal, but who cares!
Let's just say the referees owed the Habs a few.
"Ivan Demidov casually stealing a stick on the play, and then getting an assist on Alex Carrier goal in the final minute of the frame is the kind of chaos Habs fans want."

- Marco D'Amico
The famous stick theft happens beforehand, but still, check out the goal scored by Carrier right here:
Drafted fifth overall in 2024, the young player was built for moments like this.
Before coming here, he put up a season of 49 points in 65 games in the KHL.
On January 1st, the NHL even named him Rookie of the Month for December.
This season, Demidov has an impressive 43 points in 50 games, leading all NHL rookies.
After the win, the lasting image is the one from the locker room.
Cole Caufield handed the famous wolf's head to Alexandre Carrier in the locker room after the game, where the atmosphere was absolutely electric!
Carrier himself also reached a major career milestone this year.
He surpassed the 100-point mark in the NHL.
Simple details, but they perfectly show where the Canadiens are at right now.
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JANVIER 21|1218 ANSWERS
Ivan Demidov's subtle stick theft sets up key goal at Bell Centre

Who deserves the wolf's head with the Canadiens?

Alexandre Carrier14812.2 %
Ivan Demidov47038.6 %
Cole Caufield60049.3 %
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