Multiple ovations, a full house chanting her name and a new chapter in the history of women’s hockey. Gatineau Olympiques goaltender Ève Gascon won’t soon forget her first career game in the QMJHL.
In a 5-4 overtime loss to the Rimouski Oceanic, Gascon became the third woman in history to play on the Courteau circuit. Charline Labonté had done the same, 22 years ago. Manon Rhéaume was the pioneer in 1991.
A total of 4700 spectators gathered at the Slush Puppie Centre. Gascon received a standing ovation during the warm-up period, while her teammates let her do a few laps alone on the ice. In the third period, when she had just closed the door in front of an attack from the visitors, the spectators chanted her name.
“I had chills, says Ève Gascon with a smile. I was hearing people and trying to concentrate. I’m disappointed with the result, but I’m proud of what I did.”
“It’s cliché, but it can’t be described,” she adds. My family and best friends were in the stands. It is really special to live that, but I will remember it all my life”.
Pride
The head coach of the Olympiques, Louis Robitaille, is proud of the work of his protege.
“No matter the age, what she has experienced in the last few days is a lot of pressure, recalls Robitaille. It is a page of history. She deserves it. I am extremely proud of her. Normally, I never attend the warm-up period, but I got out of the office for her. I had chills. I wanted to see his reaction. Before you start [la partie]I just told him to have fun.”
The coach noted that his team gave the Océanic good scoring chances in the first period, which complicated the 18-year-old’s start to the game. She gave in on the first shot against her, after more than eight minutes of play.
“It’s a tough game for the goaltenders,” notes Robitaille. We gave a lot of chances to score and several deflected shots. We also had several penalties. I was hoping to see her get a shot sooner to help her gain confidence.”
After a more difficult start to the game, Gascon closed the door a few times in the third to keep the Olympiques in the game.
“I’m definitely not satisfied and I’d like to see the five goals scored against me again,” she said. […] It was a tough start to the game, I was looking forward to the first pitch. On the other hand, the more the match progressed, the less I felt stress.
Robitaille has indicated that Gascon will remain in the entourage of the Olympiques. Goalkeeper Rémi Poirier is suffering from an injury that will keep him out of action for a few more days.
The head coach also wants to make sure to respect the rules of the Quebec Student Sports Network, without compromising the college studies of Gascon who plays with the Patriotes du Cégep Saint-Laurent.