(Pittsburgh) Marie-Philip Poulin had her eye on the future on Saturday, beyond her overtime goal that allowed Canada to beat the Americans, 4-3.
Posted yesterday at 9:54 p.m.
It was a friendly game in front of 5,400 people at the home of the Penguins, hosted by the Professional Women’s Hockey Players’ Association.
The PWHPA is talking with NHL clubs and sponsors, hoping to launch a professional league within a year.
“It was special,” said Poulin, who scored the winning goal at 2:13. “It was more than a win or a loss. »
Being treated like pros has been the goal for years.
Marie-Philip Poulin
A little over three weeks ago, Poulin scored the last two goals of the Canadians’ 3-2 gold medal win against the United States in Beijing.
In Saturday’s tiebreak, Poulin sent the puck home and it deflected off Megan Keller, then passed through the pads of Nicole Hensley.
Blayre Turnbull, Jamie Lee Rattray and Jocelyne Larocque also scored for the Maple Leaf, which beat the Americans for the fifth straight time.
Hilary Knight, Hayley Scamurra and Hannah Brandt fought back on the American side.
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby watched the game from a box.
The PWHPA was formed three years ago following the closure of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League.
The goal: to form a professional circuit supported by a sustainable economic model, where players could pocket more.
“We are closer than ever,” said Jayna Hefford, who heads the PWHPA.
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan listed his daughters as one of the reasons to encourage women’s hockey.
“My daughters admired players like Cammi Granato or those who won Olympic gold.
“It’s no different from young boys wanting to be a Crosby or a Malkin or a Letang,” he said, going from his team credentials.
“That’s where the inspiration to play comes from. I think it’s up to each of us to make hockey evolve in this regard. »