There was Ottawa, Minnesota, New York, Verdun and now Laval! Captain Marie-Philip Poulin's speech is similar every time: she emphasizes to her teammates how important it is to make the best of it.
“We have to take a moment, look around and see what's happening and realize how lucky we are,” says the 32-year-old Quebecer. You have to take it and enjoy it.”
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Since the start of the season that started in the new year, every game played by the Montreal team in the new Professional Women's Hockey League (LPHF) seems to have a special flavor. We're talking about a series of firsts: the first game in the club's history in Ottawa, a first in Minnesota in front of a record crowd of 13,316 spectators, then these days the local opening game at the Verdun Auditorium and this first meeting this Tuesday evening. at Place Bell.
7000 spectators
Around 7,000 ice hockey fans are expected in Laval for this game against New York, which means another very special evening for the current players. Feelings shared by the pioneers of the past, without forgetting the young girls who can now dream of professional ice hockey.
Photo Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images via AFP
“It’s huge,” described Poulin, who was also named last week’s first star on Monday at the LPHF. We know we have the opportunity to be role models for young girls. You have the opportunity to see us and imagine yourself in our shoes one day. This is remarkable and we do not take it lightly.”
A 2e Game against New York
Emotions are inevitably running high and the challenge is to maintain full concentration when the puck is placed on the ice. After four games, the Montreal team has experienced it all: a regulation win, an overtime win, an overtime loss and a shutout loss.
Photo Martin Chevalier
On Saturday in Verdun, Poulin appeared to have put an end to a magical evening, but his goal in extra time was disallowed. Boston ultimately won 3-2.
It is now the second duel between Montreal and New York. On January 10, the Montreal team south of the border won 5-2 at UBS Arena, thanks largely to a hat trick from Poulin.