Perfect Storm of Transit Woes and Weather Hits Habs Fans
A determined snowstorm and a continuing strike by STM maintenance workers combined to create a perfect storm of transportation chaos across Montreal on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. The disruptions reached a peak just as the Montreal Canadiens were set to face off against the Los Angeles Kings at the Bell Centre.
Despite the severe conditions, the spirit of Montreal's hockey fans proved unbreakable. However, as the puck dropped to start the game, dozens of dedicated supporters were still stranded outside the arena, caught in lengthy queues as they tried to make their way inside.
Fans Face Frustrating Journeys
The STM strike, which has shut down metro and bus services outside of rush hours for the entire month, forced many game-goers to seek alternative transportation. The sudden snow dump, which left 20 centimetres of snow in downtown Montreal, further complicated these efforts, leading to gridlocked roads and a critical shortage of parking.
"It was pretty terrible," said Mike, a fan who travelled from the city's east end. "Traffic all over the streets. You can tell there's no transportation for anybody." He reported that a drive which normally takes 30 minutes stretched to an extra 40 minutes on this challenging night.
Another fan from the South Shore echoed the sentiment, revealing she circled the downtown core for nearly half an hour before finally securing a parking spot. "There's no parking. Montreal's not really helping us for a big event like this," she stated.
Costly Alternatives and Clever Workarounds
For some, the solution was a costly cab ride. Carl and Yannik, who usually take the metro from Rosemont, opted for a taxi. "Forty bucks," Carl noted, adding that while Uber was cheaper, he chose the cab "out of principle."
Not every fan's experience was defined by frustration. Marco, also from the South Shore, managed to avoid the worst of the congestion. "There was a little bit of chaos, maybe 30 cars piling up to get in, but I went around and parked just around the corner," he explained, showcasing a bit of local knowledge that paid off.
Broader Impacts of the November Snowstorm
The transportation snarl was part of a wider disruption across the province following the unexpected snowstorm. Hydro-Québec reported that nearly 400,000 homes lost power across Quebec at the storm's peak, including approximately 50,000 in Montreal. By Tuesday evening, restoration efforts had made significant progress, though 4,000 Montreal customers and 120,000 provincewide remained in the dark.
Back at the Bell Centre, the long lines to enter the venue had mostly cleared by the end of the first period, just in time for fans to celebrate as the Canadiens took a 1-0 lead.
