(Trois-Rivières) The sixth chapter of the Rivalry Series between the Canadians and the Americans, played Monday evening in Trois-Rivières, looked like an Olympic final. Another great game, another victory for Canada, this time by a score of 5-1, and another evening signed Marie-Philip Poulin.
Every match in which Poulin is involved turns into a fairy tale. Because she puts stars in the eyes of all her admirers, but above all because she finds a way to make the finality always a little more beautiful. A little more special.
The rivalry between Canada and the United States would have a very different flavor if the Beauceronne was not there. Conversely, his legend would not have the current magnitude without all these moments of grace against the Americans.
In the most complete delirium, the 31-year-old player scored her fifth goal, thus collecting her 200e career point with the Canadian team. She is the fifth to reach this milestone in the program’s history.
Even though she had a gaping net, her teammate and trio partner Brianne Jenner preferred to give her the disc, so that Poulin could write another page of history.
“We started in the program together when we were 16,” said the captain after the game. It’s like a cycle. It’s still crazy what happened. »
PHOTO STÉPHANE LESSARD, THE NEWSLETTER
Both teams now have three Rivalry Series wins.
Especially since Canada absolutely had to win this duel to stay alive in the series. After losing the first three encounters, the reigning Olympic champions refused to fade away, winning the next two games.
Before this other confrontation without a future, when the doors opened, a mass of diehards was gathered at the main entrance. In the mass, jerseys numbered 29 per dozen. The Canadian team played in Quebec for the first time since 2017. Out of the question for fans to miss the return to the fold of their queen.
A total of 4636 people showed up. A record for the Trois-Rivières establishment.
Of all these people, none remained seated during the tribute served to Poulin before the meeting. Her two parents, Danye and Robert, as well as her brother, Pier-Alexandre, were present, proud and moved, at the center of the ice, when Poulin was celebrated for having won the Étoile du Nord trophy, awarded to the Canadian athlete of the year in 2022.
Usually rigid and impassive, Poulin got carried away by emotions. The crowd jumped up and gave him a standing ovation for several minutes.
It was a very emotional moment. […] It touched me.
Marie-Philip Poulin
Amazed and blown away by this ceremony, the young Elizabeth Giguère could only appreciate and above all become aware of her privilege of being able to rub shoulders with the idol of all generations. “We are proud of her. I haven’t been on this team for very long, and just seeing her practice every day, you see that she deserves everything that’s happening to her. I’m just honored to be a part of this. »
Poulin is one of the rare athletes to have the ability to shine even if she is more withdrawn. She was not the best player in this sixth game, but she was the most inspiring despite everything.
Canadian dominance
Visibly carried by the atmosphere and the grandeur of the moment, the Canadian troupe quickly imposed its rhythm.
Sarah Nurse grabbed a power play rebound; 18 seconds later Laura Stacey, Canada’s best, fired a shot into the top corner to double the home side’s lead. The game was not yet four minutes old.
PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Kelly Pannek and Kristin O’Neill
To tell the truth, this beginning of the meeting sawed off the legs of the Americans, unable to generate the slightest offensive. Dominated in all phases of the game, the visitors threw only twice on goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens in the first period.
“I played a lot outside the net. I feel like I had more assists than shots,” joked the Charlevoix native.
Claire Thompson and Brianne Jenner were the other scorers. Like what a first line player or even a second pair defender is able to contribute.
“I’m proud of our team,” added Desbiens, convinced that the last game, Wednesday in Laval, will be just as intense.
another chapter
One of the two teams will be crowned champion of the series within 48 hours. It’s hard to keep up the pace when the number of days between games is counted in weeks.
However, considering the way the Canadians played and the proximity of the final match, the local favorites really have the wind in their sails.
Especially since the Americans, Hilary Knight and Megan Keller at the top of the list, played undisciplined, visibly frustrated by the course of the evening. The referees even had to intervene several times to avoid overflows.
A Canada and USA game always feels like a gold medal game no matter where and when we play. It’s never friendly, it’s become very intense.
Ann-Renee Desbiens
The goalkeeper, however, clarified that the match, given its importance and the history between the two teams, could have been very different without the additional motivation of playing in front of his team. “I had butterflies. We never get tired of playing at home. »
Same story for Poulin: “A big thank you to Trois-Rivières who came to support us this evening. Women’s hockey is big, and I appreciate it a lot. »
Next match: United States v. Canada, Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Place Bell in Laval