It may not feel like California but it feels warm beating LA: Kings VS Habs at Cafe Romolo

It May not feel like California but it’s a warm feeling beating LA: Kings VS Habs at Cafe Romolo

By Cindy Lopez on November 27, 2010 – 7:47 pmNo Comment

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Lets go in here, its freezing

It was a cold middle of the week game in Montreal, this will be one of many obstacles come hockey season (other than trying to get Scott Gomez to score goals). Even hockey hardcores like myself have their limits; to trek out for the game or watch online? I know it’s against the LA Kings but hockey is hockey.

I have a stubborn streak in me, and I’m going to tough it out…three blocks from my friend’s apartment.

It’s a bit of a hockey search when you’re on the Mile End/Outremont border, especially when you can’t drink for another week and its freezing. I did luck out on a familiar hotspot for sports and other warm delight: Cafe Romolo (272 Bernard West).

It was warm and inviting and we were in the middle of kicking King’s ass. Better than the ass kicking received Monday night in round 2 of Philly hate, it wasn’t our best game so now we have something to work towards. I’m still stunned that Max Lapierre had a two goal night.

The one person that still surprises me this season is Andrei Kostitsyn. I had almost written him off earlier this season but, another beautiful goal. It warms my heart that he’s playing with confidence and the fact it’s a contract year gives me reason to believe he can be a consistent player.

Can’t say much for Scott Gomez’s totals, at 8 million/yr we would like to see more than assists…wait, he just scored. Nope, it counts as a Cammalleri goal. He did touch it, close enough. Come on guys, it’s the LA Kings. From my perspective, rivalries via Western Conference teams aren’t as heated as the East. Probably the time zone difference. I know Montreal met this team in their last trip to the Stanley Cup final but the rivalry has since fizzled.

It’s no California but Romolo’s is warm and inviting. A cafe in the heart of the Mile End, Romolo caters normally to a soccer crowd but is also great for hockey. A giant screen TV sits in the middle of the cafe, and you can still see from wherever you sit. They do have drink specials every night, two beers for $6 dollars. They also have a snack special: 2 bottles of beer with a plate of nachos 10.75 and food is under $10 and all homemade.

Yes, beer is favored while watching hockey however this is the first venue I’ve been to where cafe lattes and tea beverages outnumber alcoholic ones. They have excellent cafe lattes and if anyone isn’t a fan of being frustrated with Scott Gomez there are two pool tables and space for small talk to fill the void.

No Gomez goal but Alec Martinez scored his first ever for the Kings. Yes, aware of the Latin connection, then again my last name is Lopez and I write about hockey.

The crowd is normally predominantly male which can sometimes intimidate a single female coming to the bar to watch the game. Surprising that also in the mix were hipsters, slowly coming in from the cold to watch the game. Strange, I saw this when I was here for a playoff game but yes, hipsters like hockey. Lots of them.

I was feeling warm, which may or may not have had something to do with the fact that I was sitting next to the oven. Ryan Smyth was being a pest to Carey Price and Cammalleri…then he hurt himself in front of the net. Wait, he’s ok, he plays hard. I love Ryan Smyth, AKA Captain Canada, however never pick him in a hockey pool. Love the guy, hate his luck as he will never stay healthy.

And then the other thing, I thought would never happen did: Lars Eller scored a goal! We have all been waiting for the moment when the Great Big Dane would finally do it. Took him 21 games, he’s tried so hard. Sheer frustration each game but Eller has been improving and it was with a sigh of relief as the puck went through goalie Jonathan Bernier. Thank God he finally got his first goal and it showed when everyone congratulated him. Funny that afterwards he wanted another, and came pretty close. He knows what scoring feels like and wants more.

To think, I was going to have a “Guess when Eller will score contest” for the blog. Whoever guesses right wins beer. I was thinking this while I was watching the kings game. But Lars just proved me wrong. Montreal 4, LA 1.

Cafe Romolo is worth checking out for games, even when it’s not freezing outside. Either way, it does warm my heart for hockey.

Cindy Lopez has been a contributor/photographer for Forget the Box since 2010, starting as a guest blogger during the Olympics and the hockey playoffs. While she freelances as a photographer around the city, she happens to be an avid hockey fan and writes a weekly sports blog. "Cindy's Hockey Blog" is her take on the Montreal Canadiens as well as a review of the many watering holes and reasonable eats found around Montreal for a different hockey experience. Cindy will probably be the one yelling at a TV throughout the hockey season.