After the opening game between the clubs from New York and Toronto, the Montreal team of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) will play its first game on this first day of January 2024 on Tuesday evening in Ottawa
“We are finally giving female ice hockey players the structure, support and sport they deserve,” proclaims loud and clear the great lady Billie Jean King, first a tennis legend, then an impressive ambassador for the status of women in professional sports. This is what hockey deserves. (…) And the best part? We are only at the beginning. The PWHL is still in its infancy.”
• Also read: Marie-Philip Poulin will wear the “C” with the new Montreal team
Bille Jean King, who serves as a consultant for the PWHL, had every reason to be proud Monday afternoon when the puck hit the ice at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, formerly Maple Leaf Gardens, in Toronto. A feeling that was obviously shared by the athletes on the New York and Toronto teams, including Quebecers Jade Downie-Landry, Élizabeth Giguère, Alexandra Labelle, Maude Poulin-Labelle and Lauriane Rougeau.
On Tuesday night, captain Marie-Philip Poulin and her teammates will experience that similar excitement when they take the ice to defend Montreal's colors at TD Place Arena in Ottawa.
The first goal for Ella Shelton
Ontarion Ella Shelton, who plays for the New York team, scored the first goal in PWHL history on Monday as her team beat Toronto 4-0. Jade Downie-Landry and Alexandra Labelle each received an assist in the game, while goalkeeper Corinne Schroeder, who made 29 saves, signed the shutout.
Remember that the PWHL currently combines six teams (Boston, Minnesota, Montreal, New York, Ottawa, Toronto). Each club will play 24 regular season games before the playoffs.
After three games abroad, the Montreal team will play its home opener against Boston on Saturday, January 13th at the Auditorium de Verdun. We already know this game will sell out.