'It's just special': Vancouver PWHL game unique experience for players, coaches

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 — including Poulin's 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 Women's Hockey League game ever held in Vancouver as part of the league's "Takeover Tour."

“When 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 it’s a sea of different jerseys across the PWHL," Poulin said.

“It's been quite awhile. I was 18 years old the first time I played here, and I still have shivers coming back. And it's a privilege. I don’t take it for granted. It's quite amazing to be part of this.”

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, Montreal's Erin Ambrose fired a shot on Toronto's 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.

“For me, coming back here to Vancouver, it’s special memories, for sure. And another one tonight," Poulin said. "Honestly, being able to play in front of a sold-out crowd in this new league, representing Montreal, there’s no better feeling.”

An announced crowd of 19,038 took in the game, eclipsing the Vancouver Canucks' season high of 18,940.

Among them were many of local product Jenn Gardiner's 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.

“I was shaking, smiling, just every single emotion was going through me, but also just taking in the moment," said the forward who hails from nearby Surrey, B.C. "Playing in Rogers Arena is something I will never forget for the rest of my life, for sure.”

Even Toronto head coach Troy Ryan, a veteran of big games and boisterous crowds, was captivated by the ambience.

“I 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," he said. "And 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. It’s just special.”

The PWHL has embarked on a nine-city "Takeover Tour" this season to grow the league's 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 women's sports in general, said Sceptres star Sarah Nurse.

“They don't usually get women’s hockey. We may get one game a year," she said. "So for them to show up … I think it's just special, because it shows that we have created this platform for women's sports. And I know that it's just going to snowball and continue with other sports.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 8, 2024.