Right at the start of her press conference, Montreal women's professional hockey team head coach Kori Cheverie wanted to say a few words…in French after her team's loss to Boston on Saturday.
• Also read: LPHF: Montreal loses to Boston in its first home game
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• Also read: [EN VIDÉO] See Marie-Philip Poulin's entry
“Hello everyone. Thank you for your support. Now I'm learning French with my teacher, so thank you for your patience with me, with my French,” said the Nova Scotian without too much embarrassment to the many journalists present in the Verdun auditorium .
One of them even pointed out to her that she was better than many members of the Canadiens.
“Perfect!” Without hesitation, disappointed the one who promised to learn French when she was hired in September.
And she is not the only English speaker who expressed herself in Molière's language. Striker Laura Stacey, who has lived in Montreal for about three years, dared to answer a question in French.
“It's great, it's a special moment, especially for the players who come from Quebec,” she said of the atmosphere in the arena for this first home game after three away games.
From emotions
Cheverie also enjoyed the atmosphere, calling them “electric fans,” particularly during the player introductions before the game.
“It was a very emotional ceremony. I've never dreamed of something like this. Montreal always does everything right. It was touching and very emotional for our Quebec players. You could feel all the energy in the arena. Our Quebecers were so proud to wear their sweater. They will never forget that.”
Ann Sophie Bettez. Photo Martin Chevalier
“A city we love to hate”
The audience in Montreal even got the Boston clan talking.
“When you come to Montreal, you expect a big crowd,” said coach Courtney Kessel, sister-in-law of three-time Stanley Cup champion Phil Kessel. We've already seen it with the Canadian Women's Hockey League [LCHF]. “It’s a city that loves women’s hockey and it’s incredible to see where we’ve been since the CWHL and all these fans in the stands.”
“It's a city you love to hate because the people here love their city and their teams so much, so we want to give a little more when we visit. The fans react to every game, every contact, the atmosphere is great,” added the 34-year-old Ontario native, who captained the Canadian U18 women’s team last season.
The Austrian Theresa Schafzahl wears the colors of Boston. Photo Martin Chevalier
For her part, Austrian Theresa Schafzahl felt a little at home, having signed a contract with the Montreal Force, the defunct Premier Hockey Federation, in the spring.
“I was here in the summer and trained with a few girls who are now playing for the Montreal club. It was special because I love the city. It was a lot of fun to play in this atmosphere,” said the striker, who set up Hannah Brandt’s equalizer, which took less than six minutes in the second period.
Boston then escaped with a 3-2 overtime win after a Marie-Philip Poulin goal was disallowed.