• E-mail

Guy Carbonneau was born to coach.

Truth be told, he was probably born to coach the Montreal Canadiens.

So even though Les Habitants met a somewhat shocking playoff demise on home ice Saturday night, the local fans who have been hardened by so much winning gave their native son a lovely little round of applause as he left the ice.

My translation from French is a little rusty, but it had to sound something like this: "Nice work, good job ... now, go get better."

Those are probably the same words Carbonneau delivered to his players. Be proud, but do not be satisfied. That's how Carbonneau survived during his 17-year NHL playing career that included a stop in Dallas. He never felt anyone could beat him, yet he practiced everyday as if he had to beat everyone else.

These Canadiens were an interesting bunch. Few gave them much hope to make the playoffs, let alone the second round. They overachieved, and that's one reason Carbonneau is a finalist for the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year. He probably won't win it this season. He probably hasn't earned it yet. That's fine; he'd probably just as soon wait.

There's plenty of time left for awards. Carbonneau proved in his stint with the Stars that he is more than patient, more than resilient. He earned his third Stanley Cup at the age of 39.

So if Carbonneau's coaching career is anything like his playing career, he's just getting started at age 48.