“It’s a feeling that we all dream of experiencing. It was amazing. The Montrealers responded present. The players too. La Force offered a more than convincing performance to win the first home game in its history, Saturday, at Center 21.02 in Verdun.
The quote that caps this last paragraph is that of Jade Downie-Landry. The 27-year-old forward delivered a sensational performance with three goals and two assists in a 5-3 win over the New York Metro Area Riveters.
But beyond the victory, this match represented another step forward for women’s hockey in Quebec, as more than 2,500 people attended the match. A record across the league.
“It’s so much fun that there are little girls who will be able to dream of playing professionally,” Downie-Landry said with a smile. The little guys, they’ve had this opportunity for a long time. I find it amazing that little girls have it now too. »
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
More than 2500 people attended the meeting.
The Montreal organization made sure to welcome its supporters; she brought out the heavy artillery for her pre-game presentation. The players were introduced one by one to a background of drums, played directly on the rink by Montreal drummer Domino Santantonio.
With great enthusiasm, the crowd gave a warm welcome to their new team. In the stands, you could see several burgundy jerseys, a sign that La Force has already made its way into the hearts of some fans. At the end of the game, the classic Montreal “hohe-hohe” were heard.
“It was sick! exclaimed the captain, Ann-Sophie Bettez, author of two goals and an assist. “That’s what I said to one of my teammates: I wanted to try to tell her something on the ice, but it was impossible! The crowd was screaming so much when we had scoring opportunities! »
The head coach, Peter Smith, displayed a smile as big as that of his players after the meeting.
We finally have women’s professional hockey here in Montreal. To have a crowd like that is exactly what these players deserve. I was happy for them. And I think the crowd enjoyed it! It was an exciting game, from my perspective at least.
Peter Smith, La Force Head Coach
no selfishness
Smith can be reassured; it was an exciting game from all perspectives. Except it didn’t quite start out the way you wanted.
The Riveters took advantage of a penalty from Catherine Dubois to take the lead after 7 minutes of play. Fanni Garat-Gasparics jumped on a return shot from Anna Kilponen to thwart Quebec goalkeeper Tricia Deguire.
In the opinion of the head coach, the nerves must have had something to do with this so-so start to the game.
“I think we were playing nervous the first 7 or 8 minutes, but we got better and better as the game went on,” Smith explained.
The Force has indeed quickly regained its senses, and not just a little. The Montrealers spent the second half of the first period in the offensive zone. And it ended up paying off: Bettez scored on a return from Downie-Landry, who had just undressed an opposing defender.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Ann-Sophie Bettez
It was the start of a solid evening of work for this duo. At the start of the second period, Downie-Landry went there with a powerful, precise wrist shot from the same office as Cole Caufield on the power play. USA keeper Rachel McQuigge didn’t stand a chance.
At 2-2 early in the third period, that same Downie-Landry put on his second of the game, before setting the table for Bettez’s second, then completing his hat trick in an empty net. A few hats were thrown on the rink. This third goal would not have been possible without the generous contribution of her teammate Samantha Isbell, who could very well have decided to shoot.
The passes that were given to me were candy. The third goal was such a beautiful thing, the pass Sam gave me. I was moved a little because it was very generous.
Jade Downie Landry
“That’s the kind of culture we have on this team,” Peter Smith said of the goal.
La Force has a record of two wins and one loss in three games. Saturday’s meeting was the only one in Verdun of the season; remember that the team will travel to different cities across Quebec over the months. Starting with Saint-Laurent, Sunday, again against the Riveters.
After such a welcome in Verdun, we bet that the players of La Force will be impatient to see what the different regions of Quebec have in store for them.
“It’s really encouraging and it makes us want to work even harder to put the best product on the ice,” suggested Bettez.