Practice this morning was optional but Marie-Philip Poulin wanted to be in top form against the United States tonight at the Colisée Vidéotron in Trois-Rivières.
The last time the Canada women’s ice hockey team played a game on Quebec soil was in 2017 in Quebec City against the same American women, who won 5-2.
“We are very excited and very excited. We haven’t been to Quebec in several years. I think the arena will be packed tonight so it’s great to have the Canadian team here. We can’t wait to make little girls dream,” said Poulin a few hours before the sixth and penultimate game of this Rivalry Series.
“The Americans won the first three games and we went 3-2 in a row,” the Maple Leaf captain recalled. So tonight is a very important game. We are also preparing for the World Championships in Brampton [en Ontario] In April. We see it as a semifinal. Every time we have the chance to play against them, it’s intense. Every fight will be very important. »
Poulin and her team-mates can count on the support of more than 4,000 spectators, who are likely to include members of their family, including their little cousin, who will sing the national anthem.
A tour
The move of the national team to Trois-Rivières has been a complete success so far. On Sunday, the players experienced a tour after their training session.
“Little girls, but also boys, come to us and we can communicate with them,” said Poulin. Access to players is very important in women’s hockey. You know us on the ice, but having that connection off the ice is what makes our sport so special. We let you dream. I was in her place in my youth. »
“We’re preparing for a game, but at the end of the day we’re promoting women’s hockey,” she said.
Almost 200 points
The 31-year-old striker is just one point away from making 200 in her senior team career. She could also reach the 100 goal milestone, she who had 96 on the tally ahead of tonight’s game, her 167.
The Canada-USA Rivalry Series concludes at Place Bell in Laval on Wednesday night.