OTTAWA – There was a festive atmosphere, pride and hope in the stands full of 8,318 spectators. On the ice, hockey players look forward to being part of history.
“This is a great moment for women's hockey, there's no lying about it,” said goalkeeper Ann-Renée Desbiens after her team's 3-2 overtime win. With more than 8,300 people at the game, it was loud and the atmosphere was great.”
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When Quebec's Marie-Philip Poulin, the world's most famous ice hockey player, took a penalty for the Montreal team in the second period, the tension was palpable. However, Ottawa goalkeeper Emerance Maschmeyer managed to stop the play.
“It represents the past, the present, but also the future,” Poulin said of her first game in the Professional Women's Hockey League (LPHF) on Tuesday night in Ottawa. It’s been years of work and we’re finally here.”
Bettez scores in extra time
Poulin and her teammates won in overtime thanks to a goal from Ann-Sophie Bettez, but the most significant victory probably remains the sight of young hockey players in the stands holding placards to show their support and envisioning one day becoming professionals.
“It's definitely one of the highlights of my career,” Bettez agreed of his winning goal, immediately crediting Desbiens for keeping Montreal in the game, especially in the first half.
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The goalie blocked 26 of the 28 pucks aimed at her during the game.
“It was phenomenal to be a part of and we joked that our players were booed during our team presentation,” noted Kori Cheverie, head coach of the Montreal team. For many it was the first time.”
Standing ovations
Jade Sauvé and Makenzie Sample, who play for the Russell Coyotes women's hockey team in Ontario, were among those who encouraged Montreal and their favorite player, Poulin. However, several teammates from that 11-and-under team lined up behind Ottawa.
“It's really fun and it's a good game,” Jade remarked as the score was tied 1-1 at the end of the second period.
Jade Sauvé and Makenzie Sample, Russell Coyotes. Photo Benoit Rioux
Claire Dalton scored the first goal for the Montreal team in the second period on an assist from Jillian Dempsey. Ottawa had scored first earlier in the game through Hayley Scamurra on the power play.
Ottawa's first goal, which was eventually disallowed, was greeted with a standing ovation. However, the puck went under the net and landed in the cage defended by Desbiens. The crowd rose to its feet again when Scamurra and Czech Katerina Mrazova scored at the start of the third period. Laura Stacey scored the other Montreal goal to force overtime.
“The story that is being written”
Poulin quickly made sure her name appeared in the game recap, earning the first penalty of the game just over three minutes into the first period.
“We’ve been talking about this for so many years,” Beauceronne also argued. When draft day happened [NDLR: le 18 septembre]That's when we realized it was really happening. And the fact that we are playing this first game is historic.”
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“It's history being made,” confirmed Erin Ambrose, who plays on the blue line for the Montreal team. It’s not just about playing games, that’s the whole point of this league.”
A long wait
Also visible in the stands was Andréanne Desforges, proudly wearing her Canadian team jersey with the number 29 bearing the name Poulin, while her friend Marie-Claude Daigneault wore that of Cole Caufield of the Montreal Canadiens. The two girls, who came from Outaouais, had driven an hour to attend the meeting.
Andréanne Desforges and Marie-Claude Daigneault, from the Outaouais region, did not want to miss this game played in Ottawa. Photo Benoit Rioux
“I have been following this league project for a long time and it was important for me to be present at this historic game and to encourage them,” said Andréanne.
IN THE NOTEBOOK
- The Montreal team has two more away games, the first on Saturday in Minnesota and on Wednesday, January 10th in New York, before hosting their first home game on Saturday, January 13th at the Auditorium de Verdun.
- Former Montreal Canadiens head coach Claude Julien was in attendance at the TD Place arena and served as an advisor to the Ottawa team during training camp.
- Quebecer Elizabeth Mantha was one of the referees at Tuesday's meeting in Ottawa.
- The Professional Women's Hockey League brings together six teams (Boston, Minnesota, Montreal, New York, Ottawa, Toronto). Each club will play 24 regular season games before the playoffs.
- Ontario's Ella Shelton scored the first goal in LPHF history as New York beat Toronto 4-0 on Monday.
- Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu native Jade Downie-Landry became the first Quebecer to earn a point in the LPHF after picking up an assist on Jill Saulnier's goal in New York's win on Monday.