Tragically Hip headlines NHL launch party

Elliotte Friedman joined Tim and Sid to discuss the anticipation of a new NHL season with Rogers and the stories to look for during the game between the Leafs and Canadiens.

I stole this from a hockey card
I keep tucked up under
My Fifty Mission cap

–The Tragically Hip

Iconic Canadian rock band, and fellow hockey fans, The Tragically Hip get the party started ahead of the NHL season opener Wednesday night in Toronto.

The Hip are set to perform a 45-minute set as part of the 2014 Molson Canadian NHL Face-Off event at Yonge-Dundas Square prior to puck drop between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens at the Air Canada Centre.

“It’s a great, fast sport, and it’s part of a lot of us,” the band’s guitarist and a big Guy Lafleur fan, Paul Langlois, told Sportsnet Wednesday. “Within the band, we were all hockey fans as kids and continue to be.”

Langlois said it will be easy to feed off the energy of the crowd Wednesday and predicts a 4-2 Habs victory later that evening.

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Just finished soundcheck for tonight’s #NHLFaceoff concert. See ya at 6:30pm at Yonge-Dundas Square.

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“Like fans from coast to coast, our team has spent the summer eager for the puck to drop on the new season,” said Stewart Glendinning, President & CEO of Molson Coors Canada. “With the NHL and Molson Canadian teaming up once again, fans in downtown Toronto are sure to score a memorable moment before the Maple Leafs and Canadiens renew Canada’s oldest rivalry.”

The celebration kicked off at 12 p.m. ET at Yonge-Dundas Square, with live musical performances, prizes and giveaways, NHL Alumni and special guest appearances, merchandise available for purchase and sponsored hockey activities. The day’s festivities will continue into the evening when fans are invited to watch the Montreal Canadiens renew their Original Six rivalry with the Toronto Maple Leafs on giant outdoor video screens.

Across the league, the opening night’s four-game slate will feature teams from coast-to-coast. In Canada, fans can tune in to Sportsnet’s doubleheader featuring the Canadiens at Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET) followed by Canucks at Flames (10 p.m. ET). Games also will be available on Rogers NHL GameCentre Live.

In Quebec, TVA Sports’ NHL coverage will debut with their French-language broadcast of Canadiens at Maple Leafs followed by a French-language broadcast of Canucks at Flames. In the U.S., NBCSN will also feature a doubleheader starting with Philadelphia Flyers at Boston Bruins (7:30 p.m. ET) for the network’s inaugural 2014-15 season Wednesday Night Rivalry, followed by San Jose Sharks at Los Angeles Kings (10 p.m. ET).

The evening will be highlighted by the raising of the Kings’ second championship banner in the past three seasons before facing their division rivals the Sharks.

More NHL on Sportsnet:
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Mark Messier relives his Opening Night memories:

Tragically Hip guitarist and Guy Lafleur fan Paul Langlois talks hockey:

Maple Leafs legend Wendel Clark drops by Dundas Square

Follow all the action from the NHL Face Off party at Yonge-Dundas Square here.

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