**
As the Montreal Canadiens advance through the Stanley Cup playoffs, a notable trend has emerged: many Quebec residents appear to prioritise watching their team over seeking medical attention. Local hospital officials have observed a significant decrease in emergency room visits during game nights, particularly as the Canadiens faced off against the Tampa Bay Lightning in a gripping seven-game series.
A Shift in Priorities
Zackary Levine, the head of emergency medicine at the McGill University Health Centre, has noted that many individuals are likely postponing non-urgent medical care until after the final whistle. “People really want to watch the game,” Levine remarked in a recent interview. “Perhaps they are more willing to miss work than to miss a playoff hockey game.” This phenomenon is not unique to the Canadiens; similar patterns have been recorded during other major sporting events in Canada.
A peer-reviewed study from 2011 highlighted a 17 per cent drop in emergency room visits across Ontario during the men’s hockey final at the 2010 Winter Olympics, where Canada triumphed over the United States in a nail-biting overtime. This decline represented approximately 136 fewer patients per hour, demonstrating the power of sporting events to distract from pressing health concerns.
Observations from Across Quebec
According to Santé Québec, the provincial agency responsible for public health, emergency rooms across Quebec have similarly reported a slight reduction in visits during recent Canadiens games. Agency spokesperson Catherine Brousseau indicated that between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. on game nights, approximately 100 fewer patients were treated compared to non-game nights in several regions surrounding Montreal.
At McGill’s teaching hospitals, the trend is evident almost in real time. Both the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Montreal General Hospital, known for their high patient volumes, typically experience shorter wait times during playoff games. On May 1, during a tense Game 6 that concluded with a 1-0 overtime defeat for the Canadiens, the Montreal General Hospital reported an emergency room occupancy rate of about 135 per cent, a drop from the average of 159 per cent. The Royal Victoria Hospital recorded a similar trend, with occupancy at nearly 167 per cent, down from its usual 205 per cent.
Post-Game Surge
However, as soon as the final buzzer sounds, emergency rooms often witness a resurgence in patient numbers. Ellen Caracas, a spokesperson for the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, the largest French-language teaching hospital network in Quebec, noted that emergency departments can experience “a return to normal levels or a slight increase” in visits once the game concludes.
This phenomenon extends beyond hospital walls. Urgences-santé, the ambulance service serving Montreal and Laval, has reported a dip in calls during Canadiens games, followed by a noticeable increase after the games end. Spokesperson Thamara Antoine-Germain stated, “It becomes more noticeable during the playoffs,” although no formal data has been compiled to substantiate this observation.
Varied Responses from Different Institutions
Not all hospitals are experiencing the same trends. The Montreal Children’s Hospital, which caters specifically to infants, children, and adolescents, has not noticed a consistent correlation between Canadiens games and emergency visits. Similarly, CHU Sainte-Justine, Quebec’s largest mother-and-child hospital, has not found clear evidence linking game nights to increased emergency room activity. Spokesperson Danika Landry remarked that there are instances where parents have been seen watching the game from the waiting room.
Conversely, the Montreal Heart Institute has reported a 20 per cent increase in cardiac-related cases during playoff games. Dr. Audrey-Jane Hall, the chief of emergency medicine at the institute, cautioned that the emotional highs and lows associated with intense hockey matches can pose genuine health risks. “Reducing stress where possible and not watching alone if you’re at risk can make a difference,” she advised.
Navigating Healthcare During Playoff Season
As the Canadiens continue their playoff journey, Levine encourages individuals with non-urgent health concerns to explore alternative options such as clinics or the province’s 811 health line before resorting to emergency departments. He also reminded fans celebrating victories to plan for safe travel, stating, “And if you’re partying, don’t drive.”
Why it Matters
This unique intersection of sports and healthcare highlights the cultural significance of hockey in Quebec, where the Canadiens are more than just a team; they are a source of communal identity and passion. However, the ramifications of prioritising game nights over health can have serious consequences. As the playoffs progress, it is essential for fans to strike a balance between their love for the game and the importance of addressing health concerns to ensure both personal wellbeing and community health remain a priority.
