Montrealers rejoice after Habs oust Leafs in Game 7

Colin Morgan was one of the first people through the Bell Centre's doors on Saturday when spectators were finally allowed back in the stands after Quebec began loosening health restrictionsand he certainly didn't miss Monday's hockey game either.

He cheered the Montreal Canadiensalongside friends and strangers, infront of McLean's Pub downtown, celebrating as his beloved team defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1.

The Habs have booked a date in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and Morgan was all smiles as he told CBC News how it feels to see the Habs win.

"It's one of the most emotional things I have ever experienced in my life," he said, fansscreamingfor joy behind him.

"What this city has gone through this is the start of the recovery. Montreal is going to drive forward from here on out."

WATCH | Habs fans celebrate in downtown Montreal:

Montrealers celebrate downtown after Habs win

3 years ago

Duration 0:41

After the end of curfew and dropping COVID-19 case numbers, jubilant Montrealers had another thing to celebrate Monday.

The Habs are back, he said, and "the nightmare's over."

The Leafs, who did not once leadon the scoreboard Monday night after going up 3-1 in the series, hosted 550 fully vaccinated health-care workers inside the 19,800-seat Scotiabank Arena in Toronto to watch Game 7 after getting a thumbs up from the Ontariogovernment to open the arena.

This came after the Canadiens welcomed 2,500 ticket-buying fans at Game 6 on Saturday at the Bell Centre the first NHL crowd allowed in the province since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

The Canadienshadn't faced the Leafs in the playoffs since 1979. The Habslost the only other Game 7 between the teams in 1964 when Dave Keon's hat trick led Toronto to a 3-1 victory at the Montreal Forum.

The Habshavemoved on to the second round for the first time since 2015. The Canadiens will take on the Winnipeg Jets, which swept the Edmonton Oilers in their opening-round series. Game 1 is set for Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The victory comes on the same day that Quebec loosened more public health restrictions across the province, and the province is now seeing a substantial drop in new COVID-19 infections.

After more than a year of pandemic stress and several months with a curfew, Quebec'sHabs fans were eager to get out and enjoy the game.

Crowds swarmed downtown to watch from terrasses.There was chanting, cheers, applauseand celebrations in large groups.

Spectators, gathered at outdoor patios and terrasses, shouted"Go Habsgo!" and "Carey! Carey! Carey!"

Some wore masks, but other didn't as they hugged, jumped, sang and waved flags.

Luna Morales, wearing a Habs t-shirt and matching ribbon in her hair, was ecstatic as she celebrated the victory alongside Jordan Katz.

"So pumped," said Morales.

"It's insane. Obviously, with the pandemic, we have all been cooped up at home. And now we're so excited to be here and finally going back to normal."

Premier Franois Legault thanked goaltender Carey Price on Twitter, saying he can't wait to see Ontario's premier in a Habs jersey.

Montreal Mayor Valrie Plante also took to Twitter to say: "Let's celebrate while respecting sanitary measures and take advantage of this great victory for our team!"