Memories of the 2010 Olympics came rushing back for Marie-Philip Poulin as she stepped onto the ice at Rogers Arena on Wednesday.
It was nearly 15 years since the hockey legend helped Canada win gold at the Vancouver Games and while a lot has changed, some things have stayed the same 91裸聊视频� including Poulin91裸聊视频檚 dominance.
The 33-year-old scored twice Wednesday, helping her Montreal Victoire to a 4-2 victory over the Toronto Sceptres in the first Professional Women91裸聊视频檚 Hockey League game ever held in Vancouver as part of the league91裸聊视频檚 91裸聊视频淭akeover Tour.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淲hen I jumped on the ice for warm up, I remembered the last time I was here was 2010 and it was a sea of red and white. And now it91裸聊视频檚 a sea of different jerseys across the PWHL,91裸聊视频� Poulin said.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 been quite awhile. I was 18 years old the first time I played here, and I still have shivers coming back. And it91裸聊视频檚 a privilege. I don91裸聊视频檛 take it for granted. It91裸聊视频檚 quite amazing to be part of this.91裸聊视频�
Her performance echoed her play in the gold-medal matchup against the United States in 2010. There, too, Poulin scored twice to power Canada to the Olympic title.
She even scored highlight-reel worthy goals from the same spot in both games.
Midway through the second period Wednesday, Montreal91裸聊视频檚 Erin Ambrose fired a shot on Toronto91裸聊视频檚 goal, sending the puck bouncing off Sceptres netminder Kristen Campbell and out toward Poulin in the faceoff circle.
From her knees, Poulin corralled the rebound and snapped a blistering one timer into the top corner of the net to give the Victoire a 3-0 cushion.
91裸聊视频淔or me, coming back here to Vancouver, it91裸聊视频檚 special memories, for sure. And another one tonight,91裸聊视频� Poulin said. 91裸聊视频淗onestly, being able to play in front of a sold-out crowd in this new league, representing Montreal, there91裸聊视频檚 no better feeling.91裸聊视频�
An announced crowd of 19,038 took in the game, eclipsing the Vancouver Canucks91裸聊视频� season high of 18,940.
Among them were many of local product Jenn Gardiner91裸聊视频檚 family and friends. The Victoire rookie said it was difficult to put into words what it felt like to hear her name called and see her picture flash on the big screen before puck drop.
91裸聊视频淚 was shaking, smiling, just every single emotion was going through me, but also just taking in the moment,91裸聊视频� said the forward who hails from nearby Surrey, B.C. 91裸聊视频淧laying in Rogers Arena is something I will never forget for the rest of my life, for sure.91裸聊视频�
Even Toronto head coach Troy Ryan, a veteran of big games and boisterous crowds, was captivated by the ambience.
91裸聊视频淚 usually go out in the warm up for probably five minutes to just kind of get a little bit of a feel for the atmosphere,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淎nd I stayed the entire warm up because I was actually just loving sitting back and watching our players enjoy the atmosphere, but also watching a lot of the young kids and the signs they bring. It91裸聊视频檚 just special.91裸聊视频�
The PWHL has embarked on a nine-city 91裸聊视频淭akeover Tour91裸聊视频� this season to grow the league91裸聊视频檚 audience and test potential expansion markets.
Other neutral-site destinations on the tour include Quebec City, where Montreal takes on the Ottawa Charge on Jan. 19, and Edmonton, where Toronto faces Ottawa on Feb. 16.
Games will also be held in Denver, Detroit, St. Louis, Buffalo, N.Y. and Raleigh, N.C.
Wednesday showed how hungry Vancouver is not only for hockey but women91裸聊视频檚 sports in general, said Sceptres star Sarah Nurse.
91裸聊视频淭hey don91裸聊视频檛 usually get women91裸聊视频檚 hockey. We may get one game a year,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淪o for them to show up 91裸聊视频� I think it91裸聊视频檚 just special, because it shows that we have created this platform for women91裸聊视频檚 sports. And I know that it91裸聊视频檚 just going to snowball and continue with other sports.91裸聊视频�
