The head coach of the Boston PWHL has compared a recent signing to an all-time great, which is problematic.
Despite being denied a fairytale conclusion, Marie-Philip Poulin will always view Saturday as one of the best days of her illustrious hockey career.
Boston upset Montreal in their exciting PWL home opener, winning 3-2 in overtime thanks to a goal from Amanda Pelkey.
Two months ago, Pelkey’s overtime winner helped PWHL Boston defeat Montreal.
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Boston wins 3-2 and spoils Montreal’s home opener in the Professional Women’s Hockey League thanks to an overtime goal from Amanda Pelkey.
Moments before, Poulin, the captain of Montreal, looked to have scored the game-winning goal, but goalie interference caused officials to disallow the goal.
The lady dubbed “Captain Clutch” for her three Olympic gold medal-winning goals for Canada was not given the opportunity to add another title to her collection.
Poulin’s possible overtime goal for Montreal was ruled out two months ago following review.
1:45 PWHL in duration In overtime against Boston, Montreal’s captain Marie-Philip Poulin puts the puck in the goal, but goalie interference waves it off.
“This one was very special,” Poulin remarked with emotion. “We’ve been waiting a long time for this moment.”
“That’s the way we wanted this story to end tonight,” alternate captain Laura Stacey said, alluding to the goal that was disallowed. “However, this match and this instant are far more significant than a single goal or defeat.
It’s so much more than just that, seeing the young boys and girls and all the fans in the stands today who have been waiting for this for a very long time, along with us.
“It was beyond our expectations.”
“Roughly Damn Time”
3,245 boisterous fans, many of whom had gathered outside Verdun Auditorium hours before the game, packed the stands to witness the historic arrival of the first-ever women’s league in Montreal.
Throughout the game, screaming fans of all ages waved white towels and wore multicolored flashing bracelets. Some waved signs that read “About Damn Time” and “Play Like a Girl,” while others were dressed in PWHL Montreal’s burgundy jersey.
PWHL Montreal plays its first home game. WATCH
PWHL Boston is the opponent for Montreal’s first home game.
two months prior
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As Montreal played its first home game against Boston on Saturday afternoon at the Verdun Auditorium, fans were glued to their seats.
When Poulin of Beauceville, Quebec, was the last player to skate during the introductions of the electric players, the audience went wild.
“To see the people in the stands, the lights, the beat in the crowd,” said Poulin. “It’s hard to place, but it’s high on my list [of special moments].”
Boston (1-1-0) also had goals from Taylor Girard and Hannah Brandt, and Aerin Frankel made 31 saves.
“The fans had a buzz.”
For Montreal (2-1-1), Erin Ambrose and Stacey responded, and Ann-Renée Desbiens made 18 saves.
Thirty-three seconds into the second half, Ambrose scored Montreal’s first goal at home. In just 29 seconds, Stacey doubled Montreal’s lead, energizing the crowd.
Head coach of Montreal Kori Cheverie described the atmosphere as “amazing, the fans were electric.” “It was amazing.”
Before Brandt tied it 1:31 later, Girard answered for Boston at 4:15 with a short-handed breakaway goal, ending the visiting team’s penalty in the process (a new rule the PWHL implemented prior to the season opening Jan. 1).
Poulin’s hat trick and Heise’s highlight-reel goals start the PWHL’s second week as Ottawa rides a quick start and two power-play goals to their first-ever PWHL victory.
Regarding the crowd, Pelkey remarked, “Obviously being opponents, we’re going to feed off the energy too.” “It was just a really good night for women’s hockey.”
Up until overtime, the score stayed 2-2 as Frankel stopped a relentless Montreal attack.
“Obviously, I saw a goal.”
Stacey made a strong drive towards the goal early in overtime, and Poulin scored on a rebound to get the crowd excited. However, Boston coach Courtney Kessel contested the play.
While the officials reviewed, the crowd chanted “goal!” but Boston eventually won the call before Pelkey finished the comeback.
Kessel described what she saw, saying, “I think Stacey’s stick just pushed Frankel’s pad back, so it pushes her out of position to make the next save.”
“I saw a goal, obviously,” laughed Poulin.
