Poulin plays to Captain Clutch reputation, leading Montreal to face Ottawa in PWHL Walter Cup Finals

TL;DR

Marie-Philip Poulin leads the Montreal Victoire into the PWHL Walter Cup Finals against the Ottawa Charge. Despite a lower-body injury, she scored crucial goals to help her team advance.

Key points

Marie-Philip Poulin is the captain of the Montreal Victoire.
The Victoire face the Ottawa Charge in the PWHL Walter Cup Finals.
Poulin scored crucial goals to help Montreal advance despite an injury.

Mentioned in this story

Marie-Philip PoulinAnn-Renee DesbiensBrianne JennerKori CheverieCarla MacLeodGwyneth Philips

Montreal VictoireOttawa Charge

Montreal Victoire goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens admitted to experiencing goosebumps at the mere thought of envisioning teammate and captain Marie-Philip Poulin lifting the PWHL Walter Cup championship trophy. “She is a legend. She’s ‘Captain Clutch,’ the one and only one,” Desbiens said during a Zoom conference call with reporters on Wednesday. “For me to witness that, I would be so lucky as a teammate to have this opportunity to share this moment with her because of everything she’s done, and because of everything she’s still doing.” Poulin and the Victoire aren’t there yet in preparing to open their best-of-five Walter Cup Finals series. They host the Ottawa Charge on Thursday night. What’s also true is the Victoire wouldn’t be making their first finals appearance if not for Poulin who, at 35, continues adding to the clutch reputation she earned by scoring three Olympic gold medal-clinching goals. Despite a lower-body injury limiting her ice time, Poulin delivered two winning goals — including the semifinal series clincher on Tuesday night — in Montreal’s five-game elimination of the two-time defending champion Minnesota Frost. Her other winner came in a 1-0 triple-OT decision in Game 2. In advancing, the Victoire avoided a repeat of their past two semifinal losses, and became the PWHL’s first higher-seeded team to win a playoff series in the league’s three seasons. “She is the best player in the world,” Victoire coach Kori Cheverie said, noting Poulin also blocked two shots in the closing minutes of Montreal’s 2-1 Game 5 win. “Our team is so proud of her. And we’re lucky that she’s with us and continues to be a great captain.” It’s the Charge standing in Montreal’s way in the PWHL’s first all-Canadian title matchup. Ottawa returns to the finals after . The fourth-seeded Charge are the more rested team after having been off since a in Game 4 on Sunday. “I’m really proud of our group that we’re able to make it back here,” Ottawa captain Brianne Jenner said. “It’s not easy to get to this point. We know there’s one step left, and it’s going to be the hardest step.” The meeting is a rematch of last year’s semifinals, in which the fourth-seeded Charge upset Montreal in four games all decided by one goal. Montreal won this year’s season series by going 3-0-1. The teams feature two respected leaders in Poulin and Jenner, long-time Team Canada teammates. The goalie matchup pits Desbiens, another Team Canada veteran, facing off against Team USA backup Gwyneth Philips, who was last year’s playoff MVP. “We were a great team last year, and I think we’re a great team this year,” Charge coach Carla MacLeod said. “We know it’s a fresh go at it, but at the same breath there’s a presence in our room that understands what it’s going to take to try to get this thing done.” \\_ AP women’s hockey:

Q&A

What is Marie-Philip Poulin's role in the Montreal Victoire?

Marie-Philip Poulin is the captain of the Montreal Victoire and is recognized for her clutch performances in critical games.

How did the Montreal Victoire reach the PWHL Walter Cup Finals?

The Victoire advanced to the finals by defeating the Minnesota Frost in a five-game series, with Poulin scoring two winning goals despite an injury.

What is the significance of the matchup between Montreal Victoire and Ottawa Charge?

This matchup marks the first all-Canadian title contest in PWHL history, with Ottawa looking to avenge last year's semifinal upset by Montreal.

Poulin plays to Captain Clutch reputation, leading Montreal to face Ottawa in PWHL Walter Cup Finals

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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