Lifting the Clarkson Cup over their heads is a moment Les Canadiennes continue to replay in their minds.
And to bring that moment home to Montreal means the world to the hockey team’s players.
“It always excites the city when a team wins the championship and we’re very fortunate to share our victory with the Montreal crowd,” said defenceman Lauriane Rougeau.
The team beat the defending champions, the Calgary Inferno, with a 3-1 win – revenge from last year’s loss to Calgary.
The victory was Montreal’s fourth title in seven finals appearances.
Captain Marie-Philip Poulin said it was a difficult season but they found a way to win.
“It was not easy but we stuck with it and we trusted the process and it brought us the Clarkson Cup,” she said. “And I think this one is really special, playing with my best friends, we’re like a family.”
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Speaking at an elementary school in the South Shore on Wednesday, three-time Olympic gold medallist Kim St-Pierre said she’s ecstatic to see her former team bring home the cup.
“Everyone played so hard,” she said.
“The other team was the favourite because they had 13 girls from the national team while Montreal only had two girls. So they were the underdogs but they played so well as a team from the beginning and I think it made the difference.”
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Women’s hockey veteran and four-time Olympic gold medallist Caroline Ouellette said the victory is proof to all young girls that they can do anything.
“This win is also… gonna help us fight for equality for women in sports,” she said.