“I immediately went up to her and said, “Claire Bobby Dalton Orr!” »
These words are those of Marie-Philip Poulin, Saturday evening, after the convincing 6-3 victory of the Montreal team against that of Ottawa. At his side in the post-match press briefing, the main interested party, Claire Dalton, gave an embarrassed smile.
The quote from Poulin that caps this article refers to the first of three goals scored by Dalton, while a 1-1 tie persisted at the end of the second period. After entering the offensive zone with the puck, Dalton got around the defender in front of her before cutting to the net and skillfully beating goaltender, Emerance Maschmeyer. The puck crossed the red line as Dalton flew through the air, recalling the flying goal by Bobby Orr in 1970. This goal was also the first for the Montreal team shorthanded this season.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Marie-Philip struggles to position herself in front of the opposing net.
“It was incredible,” said Poulin, who had three assists in the victory. “It’s a goal that’s going to be in the highlights, that’s for sure! He was really important to our team. [Il nous a permis] to go to the room, talk to us, regroup and really have the last 20 minutes early. It was super important. »
Dalton scored a second time midway through the third period to extend Montreal’s lead to 4-2. Well positioned in front of the net, she skillfully deflected a shot from Erin Ambrose.
We always have free time during practices, which I appreciate, and [Brigitte] Laganière and [Catherine] Daoust always throws pucks at me. I’ll give them credit for that.
Claire Dalton
The 23-year-old forward added a third goal late in the period, her team’s fifth, by pushing the puck between Maschmeyer’s pads. A few hats flew onto the ice.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Claire Dalton
At a press briefing, Dalton did not remember having ever scored a hat trick in his young career. “I never did in school, so I guess it never happened…”
” It was crazy. I didn’t expect that, I can tell you that. It’s great to play with Pou [Marie-Philip Poulin] and Stace [Laura Stacey], they inspire confidence in me. Kori too, with all the positive words after each presence. »
“That can’t be true.”
Originally from Etobicoke, Ontario, Claire Dalton spent the last five seasons with the Yale University Bulldogs, where she was captain in her final season. She was a pick of 12e Montreal team’s turn in the draft. Before Saturday’s match, she had two goals and one assist in 12 games.
Last Wednesday, head coach Kori Cheverie decided to pair her with Poulin and Stacey on the first line. “I was with my roommate when I got the alignment and I was like: This can’t be true. But they never fixed that [fixed it] », blurted the young woman with a shy smile.
Poulin, who has had several different line partners since the start of the season, was full of compliments for her teammate.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Marie-Philip Poulin
“To be honest, I’m so proud of her and so happy for her. He’s someone who came straight from university. She was drafted here and she was ready. She had the opportunity to be on the front line and she took her chance. She deserves it. There aren’t many players who could contribute like she did today. It just shows the confidence and talent she has. »
I think this is just the beginning of something big here in Montreal for Claire Dalton.
Marie-Philip Poulin
60 minutes
In the opinion of Kori Cheverie, the Montreal team played its best performance over 60 minutes on Saturday since the start of the season, despite Ottawa being outshot 31-25.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
I felt like it was our most complete match with what we’re asking them to do.
Kori Cheverie
For several weeks now, the head coach has been emphasizing the importance of having a good start to a match. It was mission accomplished this time. The attackers and defenders started the game with poise, intensity and speed. The second period was slower, but Montreal still returned to the locker room with a 2-1 lead.
Things got worse in the third period. Every time the locals managed to extend their lead, Ottawa quickly scored. Montreal played with fire in the middle of the period, when it had a 4-2 lead; Daoust and Mariah Keopple were punished in quick succession, giving the Ontarians a five-on-three, who scored.
“It’s something that needs to be adjusted, we need to be more disciplined,” Poulin said on this subject.
“I would like us to have a killer instinct that makes us score a first goal, then a second, a third and a fourth,” said Cheverie. I think we’ll get there eventually, but we have to have that mentality of never stopping. »