[KootenayFlamesFan]

“I don’t learn very much about him anymore, I just pinch myself wondering if I need to check his birth certificate,” head coach Bob Hartley said with a smile after his crew survived a late surge by the Montreal Canadiens to hold on to a 3-2 win.

“The poise he’s showing for an 18-year-old. He’s having fun and bringing passion and excitement. He’s a pretty special kid. It seems every game we’re changing actors but racking up points. It’s a long season — no sense being cocky. But this is huge.”

“Third time is a charm — we didn’t want that to happen again,” said Monahan’s linemate Sven Baertschi as blood dripped from his chin

“We didn’t panic.”

“I yelled at him so hard, and I knew he was going to make that pass,” Baertschi said.

“He read the play well, got right behind the man and it was a nice pass — he’s such a talented player.”

“A dream start? Well, it has been a lot of fun not losing in regulation … because I hate losing,” said Monahan, whose parents and sister have been watching him live all week, leading up to his 19th birthday Saturday.

“I’m just trying to do the little things right on the ice and continue to be a good pro.”

So far so “good.”

http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/10/10...to-stay-in-nhl