Marie-Philip Poulin played hero yet once more Saturday evening after some experimentation.
The Montreal Victoire captain racked up the shootout victor in a 4-3 gain the Ottawa Charge in an exhilarating PWHL season-opener for both groups.
Poulin, that was or else held back the scoresheet, missed out on a breakaway in the passing away secs of overtime and an additional effort previously in the shootout.
Head instructor Kori Cheverie was positive the 3rd time would certainly be the beauty when she sent her super star out once more in the 5th round.
“We did the math quickly, and she’s not going to miss three in a row,” Cheverie claimed. “I just did some quick math in my head on that one.”
Poulin deked to the forehand and lastly defeat Ottawa netminder Emerance Maschmeyer reduced to the blocker side as a rowdy 10,033 towel-waving followers at Place Bell took off out of their seats. Victoire goalkeeper Ann-Renee Desbiens after that refuted Katerina Mrazova to safeguard the success.
“When you go for your third time, you don’t want to let your team down honestly,” Poulin claimed. “It did feel good to score that one and to be able to have Ann also backing us up… she had a great game as well.
“To obtain that initial win, it really feels excellent to be in your home, reaching have that shootout win. We simply obtained ta maintain going and do not take it for approved.”
WATCH | Captain Clutch comes through again:
Marie-Philip Poulin scores the lone shootout goal to lift Montreal to a 4-3 victory over Ottawa.
Poulin’s winner spoiled a 42-save performance from Maschmeyer, who held the Charge in the game all night.
The 33-year-old Poulin is known as “Captain Clutch” for shining in the biggest moments, including game-winning goals for Canada in three Olympic gold-medal games.
When Poulin powered her way to a breakaway after a strong backcheck in overtime, Maschmeyer thought she’d seen this movie before.
“It’s classic. Classic Pou, she would get that opportunity with seconds to go,” Maschmeyer said. “But nothing better, and it’s exactly what I’m sure the crowd wanted to see. And for me, what better challenge to go against the best player in the world.”
Maschmeyer won that showdown before thwarting Poulin again in the first shootout attempt, but didn’t find a silver lining in making her opponent work for the winner.
“I want three [saves],” Maschmeyer said. “But she’s a great player. She can do anything. It’s always fun to go up against her. And I love the challenge. I hope she thinks I’m a challenge too.”
Poulin was denied a couple opportunities to live up to her moniker during the PWHL’s inaugural season.
She appeared to score the overtime winner in an emotional Montreal home-opener against Boston on Jan. 13, only for the goal to be overturned in an eventual 3-2 loss. A couple weeks later, she forced overtime with a spectacular goal late against Toronto, but scored just once in four shootout attempts as Montreal fell 4-3.
WATCH | Fans buzzing over Victoire:
