Montreal Canadiens Breaks The December 23rd Drought.

With a decisive 5-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, the Montreal Canadiens has won a hockey game on December 23rd for the first time since 1945!

The Canadiens took control of the game very early into the first period. Andrei Markov opened the score after only 1:29 of play. Markov has scored three goals in three games since his return. Andrei Kostitsyn doubled the score a minute later. His brother, Sergei, scored the third goal for the Canadiens before the tenth minute mark.

Goaltender Cam Ward was pulled after the third goal. Manny Legace went in but couldn't stop the Canadiens. Glen Metropolit added a fourth goal for the Canadiens before the end of the first period. Only Brandon Sutter scored on Jaroslav Halak during the first.

Benoit Pouliot who was acquired a few weeks ago in return of Guillaume Latendresse played a first game in his new uniform.

Glen Metropolit scored a second goal for the final score of 5-1.

With that third victory in a row, the team will fly back to Montreal in a good mood for Christmas. Jaroslav Halak and Marc-Andre Bergeron deserves a pad in the back from their team mates as both were stellar two days ago to steal an overtime victory to the Atlanta Trashers.

The seven game road trip will resume in a couple of days.

(Picture: Sergei Kostitsyn, Getty Images.)