Stay Classy, Montreal.

The phrase "stay classy" is most often used sarcastically on the internet. However, that is not the way I am using it tonight. The Montreal Canadiens reportedly had a sellout crowd of 21,273 tonight. Even though the home team lost the game, the crowd still gave a standing ovation to the visiting team's (New Jersey Devils) netminder, Montreal native Martin Brodeur. Via Fire & Ice:

Brodeur pumped both his fists as the final siren sounded and was mobbed by his teammates. The sellout crowd of 21,273 gave him a long and loud standing ovation. Brodeur raised his stick to salute them and then headed off the ice as his teammates lined up on either side of him to form an aisle.

The fans gave Brodeur another loud ovation when he came back onto the ice when he was named the game's first star.

As you may have heard, the Devils win gave Brodeur win 551 in his career, tying Patrick Roy's record. You won't have to search the internets long to find debates going on over who is the better goaltender. It didn't matter to the Montreal crowd though. Brodeur tied the record, and even though he plays for New Jersey, he's still one of their own and they showed their respect. And for that, I must humbly and genuinely say, stay classy, Montreal, stay classy.