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- The ECHL is a long way from taking a twirl around the Bell Centre as the first star after a Saturday night showdown between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs. It's even farther when you're generously listed at 5-foot-7.

David Desharnais is making that fairy tale ride his own personal reality, and it's becoming more and more real with every game he plays.

But he still needs to pinch himself every now and then.

"Oh yeah, for sure," Desharnais said after his goal and assist helped the Canadiens to a 3-0 victory against the Leafs. "It happened just before the game -- Saturday night against Toronto and I'm part of it. It's just so exciting."

He wasn't just part of it; Desharnais played a leading role in the win even though Carey Price made 27 saves to earn just about the easiest of his six shutouts on the season.

After putting up prolific offensive numbers in both the ECHL and AHL, Desharnais is starting to show a real glimpse of what allowed him to beat the odds and reach the top level.

"I've been watching that guy for the better part of three years, and he never ceases to amaze me," said recent AHL call-up Ryan White. "It's not about his offensive ability, it's about the way he competes. I mean you've got a guy who's five-foot-whatever, and he out-competes guys that are 6-foot-4 every night. He battles in front of the net, he goes into the corners. When you have a guy like that, how don't you come out to play when you see him play as hard as he does?"

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When you get your chance, you have to take it, Desharnais said of his play over the past three games. I wasnt playing much but, when you get out there, you have to make the coach believe you can do it.

Desharnais was never drafted. He signed with the Canadiens as a free agent and has overcome a lack of size and questions about his skating to become a regular with the Canadiens.

Hes shown a lot of heart and dedication, Martin said after Saturday nights game. Hes one of those guys who went to the American Hockey League and gained confidence so that hes ready to play at this level.

Despite his lack of size, the 5-foot-7 Desharnais isnt afraid to crash the net and thats how he scored the Canadiens final goal.

It was a breakout, I gave the puck to Gomer, went to the net, closed my eyes and he put it right on my tape, Desharnais said.

As much as he enjoyed scoring his fifth goal of the season, Desharnais said he took more pride in the assist that produced Montreals first goal, which was also the game-winner. He was behind the net when he saw Benoit Pouliot in the high slot.

Thats more my game, said Desharnais, who was the leading scorer in the AHL when the Canadiens recalled him on Dec. 30. Im behind the net feeding the puck to guys in front. Thats my job. I saw him in front and I just try to get it in the area.

I dont remember how I got there, but I remember Davey giving me the puck, Pouliot said. For some reason I was all alone. When it gets teed up like that, you cant miss.

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Originally posted by hrc666
He now has 2 goals and 4 assists in his last 3 games.

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Originally posted by hrc666
intelligentsia

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MONTREAL One of the smallest players in the lineup is drawing some of the biggest praise in the Habs dressing room.

Watching David Desharnais slide a perfect pass to Benoit Pouliot for the games opening goal on Saturday night before driving the net to tap home the Canadiens third goal of the evening, it was obvious why the gritty winger was told to find permanent digs in Montreal a month ago. With six points in his last three games, the Quebec City native is drawing rave reviews from the 23 people who matter most.

Daveys awesome, confirmed Pouliot, who has played left wing alongside Desharnais since the speedy pivot was called up from Hamilton on New Years Eve. When he first got called up he was so happy. He kept talking about how excited he was to be in the NHL and to be a Montreal Canadien and now hes doing more than ever.

Part of Pouliots enthusiasm could have something to do with the seven points hes racked up since Desharnais arrival.

When you play with him, its so easy. He sees the ice really well, hes a good passer and great skater, lauded Pouliot. He fits in really well and he and Whitey have both been playing really well lately. Its great for Davey; when he gets a chance like this hes not going to miss it.

He didnt get drafted so it wasnt easy for him, just going straight to the AHL and grinding it out down there, added Pouliot of his 24 year old linemate who was (and currently still is) leading the Bulldogs with 45 points when he was called up. The thing is, hes always been a top scorer wherever he goes and since he was called up, you see what hes been doing here for us.

Desharnais other winger was just as glowing in his assessment of his former Bulldogs teammate.

Hes not the fanciest player, but he makes the right plays all the time and his goal tonight was the perfect example, explained Ryan White. He beats his guy going to the net, Gomer puts it in the right spot for him and its a goal. That put the game away. Davey stepped up big for us tonight again.

The beneficiaries of many a perfect Desharnais feed, Pouliot and White are understandably biased when it comes to their centermans impact to date. But their coach is just as pleased with what hes seen from the young sniper.

At training camp, I saw how committed he is and when he was sent down to Hamilton, he dominated the AHL with Max Pacioretty, described Jacques Martin, who rewarded Desharnais with 16:13 in ice time against the Leafs. When you build that kind of confidence in the minors, you still have that when you make the jump. He just has to keep it up.

Hes a small player, but he never hesitates to go into high traffic areas. For sure hes not going to play like [Milan] Lucic or a big guy like that, but he plays with no fear out there, added the Habs bench boss. I have complete confidence that thats the type of game David is going to bring for us.

Enjoying the whirlwind in the past month, Desharnais has no intention of easing up anytime soon.

Its amazing. Sometimes I dont even realize whats happening, explained the diminutive center with a grin. At the same time, I have to keep performing well and I think Im starting to hit my stride. I have confidence in myself.

Its a psychological thing I guess, but after I scored that first goal [on January 12] everything has gone well and Ive just kept working and now here I am, he marveled. But the toughest part isnt getting here; its staying here. I want to stay here and Im going to work my [butt] off to make sure I do.

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Originally posted by hrc666

http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=552564

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MONTREAL One of the smallest players in the lineup is drawing some of the biggest praise in the Habs dressing room.

Watching David Desharnais slide a perfect pass to Benoit Pouliot for the games opening goal on Saturday night before driving the net to tap home the Canadiens third goal of the evening, it was obvious why the gritty winger was told to find permanent digs in Montreal a month ago. With six points in his last three games, the Quebec City native is drawing rave reviews from the 23 people who matter most.

Daveys awesome, confirmed Pouliot, who has played left wing alongside Desharnais since the speedy pivot was called up from Hamilton on New Years Eve. When he first got called up he was so happy. He kept talking about how excited he was to be in the NHL and to be a Montreal Canadien and now hes doing more than ever.

Part of Pouliots enthusiasm could have something to do with the seven points hes racked up since Desharnais arrival.

When you play with him, its so easy. He sees the ice really well, hes a good passer and great skater, lauded Pouliot. He fits in really well and he and Whitey have both been playing really well lately. Its great for Davey; when he gets a chance like this hes not going to miss it.

He didnt get drafted so it wasnt easy for him, just going straight to the AHL and grinding it out down there, added Pouliot of his 24 year old linemate who was (and currently still is) leading the Bulldogs with 45 points when he was called up. The thing is, hes always been a top scorer wherever he goes and since he was called up, you see what hes been doing here for us.

Desharnais other winger was just as glowing in his assessment of his former Bulldogs teammate.

Hes not the fanciest player, but he makes the right plays all the time and his goal tonight was the perfect example, explained Ryan White. He beats his guy going to the net, Gomer puts it in the right spot for him and its a goal. That put the game away. Davey stepped up big for us tonight again.

The beneficiaries of many a perfect Desharnais feed, Pouliot and White are understandably biased when it comes to their centermans impact to date. But their coach is just as pleased with what hes seen from the young sniper.

At training camp, I saw how committed he is and when he was sent down to Hamilton, he dominated the AHL with Max Pacioretty, described Jacques Martin, who rewarded Desharnais with 16:13 in ice time against the Leafs. When you build that kind of confidence in the minors, you still have that when you make the jump. He just has to keep it up.

Hes a small player, but he never hesitates to go into high traffic areas. For sure hes not going to play like [Milan] Lucic or a big guy like that, but he plays with no fear out there, added the Habs bench boss. I have complete confidence that thats the type of game David is going to bring for us.

Enjoying the whirlwind in the past month, Desharnais has no intention of easing up anytime soon.

Its amazing. Sometimes I dont even realize whats happening, explained the diminutive center with a grin. At the same time, I have to keep performing well and I think Im starting to hit my stride. I have confidence in myself.

Its a psychological thing I guess, but after I scored that first goal [on January 12] everything has gone well and Ive just kept working and now here I am, he marveled. But the toughest part isnt getting here; its staying here. I want to stay here and Im going to work my [butt] off to make sure I do.

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