Fire demolishes Mount Royal Arena

 Now, it's gone up in smoke.

 An early-morning fire on Tuesday ruined the Mount Royal Arena building, where the Canadiens played for six seasons before moving in 1926 to the Forum, their home for the next 70 years.

 Scratch another sign of glory for the once-mighty Canadiens, who haven't won a Stanley Cup since 1992-93.

 "That was the arena where Newsy Lalonde scored six goals in January 1920 against Toronto," said sports historian Jerry Rochon.

 "It had 6,000 to 8,000 seats."

 Lalonde's effort, part of a 14-7 win, set a Canadiens team record for goals in a single game by one player that still stands.

 The Mount Royal Arena was long ago changed from a rink to business premises but Jean Fortier, chairman of Montreal's executive committee, said it remained an important part of the past.

 "If it's not maybe of architectural value, it is at least sentimentally a loss for Montrealers," Fortier said.

 It was the club's home ice in 1924 when the Canadiens won the second of their 24 Stanley Cup titles, beating Calgary 3-0 in a game played in Ottawa. Morenz's goal proved to be the winner.

 "They weren't there for very long," said Jean Roy, who handles public-relations appearances for Canadiens greats like Maurice Richard, Jean Beliveau and Guy Lafleur.

 He said in the Mount Royal Arena era, "they played a very short schedule," and the building didn't have the same significance for fans as the Forum.

 "I'm too young to remember these things," added Roy, who's a mere 70 years old and who cited published accounts of the era when the Canadiens had a keen rivalry with the Montreal Maroons.

 Richard, who joined the Canadiens in 1942, said he knew that the Mount Royal Arena figured in the team's history. As a youngster, he played hockey in the same neighbourhood.

 The Canadiens' long-ago home didn't ring any bells with Lafleur, who began with the club in 1971.

 But the rink is certainly meaningful to Rochon, who was interviewed in Trois-Rivieres by RDI, Radio-Canada's all-news channel.

 "Part of history was played out there," he said. "That can't be wiped out. It's like the Forum or Boston's Fenway Park.

 "People identify with them more closely than with modern arenas. Nowadays you're farther away from the action.

 "It's not the same atmosphere."

 No one was injured in the fire.

 District fire chief Claude Beaulieu said the building, which included a bakery and an upholstery shop, likely was unoccupied.

 "As far as we know, nobody works there at night."

 Other businesses in the commercial block were hit by smoke and water. Total damage has been estimated at $2.5 million.

Bert's back on blades Blue Jays boot game Bombers drop Peterson Felicien rebuilds race

Do you think Coyotes players should be punished for their actions after the team’s Game 5 loss to the Kings?   Yes   No   Unsure Results | Story Visit our Polls Archive