It’s no secret that the Montreal
Josh Gorges
Canadiens are currently in the Eastern Conference Finals of the National Hockey League Playoffs, as the Habs put away the beloved Boston Bruins in a back-and-forth seven game series in the second round. Although they now play for the less than popular (at least around here) Canadiens, defensemen Josh Gorges and Douglas Murray, former Worcester Sharks players, are fighting to win their first Stanley Cups.
An alternate captain for the Habs, Gorges spent from 2004-07 with the Sharks’ organization. He played his first professional season in Cleveland with the Barons, before splitting his second season between Cleveland and San Jose. San Jose’s American Hockey League affiliate then moved to Worcester for the 2006-07 season, where Gorges played seven games and contributed an assist. Now a mainstay on Montreal’s second defensive pairing, Gorges had 14 points in the regular season and has played in all 13 of Montreal’s games in this postseason.
Doug Murray
Murray, a rugged 245-pound Swedish defenseman, spent from 2003-13 with the Sharks’ organization. Much like Gorges, Murray began his professional career with the Cleveland Barons before San Jose’s AHL affiliate moved to Worcester. He contributed two goals and an assist for three points in five games played for Worcester during the 2006-07 season. The now 34-year-old defenseman hasn’t dressed in the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Rangers, but did see some action against the Bruins and was a physical presence.
Gorges, Murray, and the Canadiens will look to begin to dig themselves out of a 2-0 series deficit on Thursday night, when the Habs travel to Madison Square Garden for game three of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Struggles Continue
With several former Worcester players on their roster, San Jose’s playoff woes continued this year. Despite being consistently known as one of the top regular season teams, San Jose has never made it to a Stanley Cup Final. They jumped out to a 3-0 series lead over the Los Angeles Kings in the first round, before losing four straight games to lose the series.
