La Coupe Walter

It's been a long time coming, but the Montreal PWHL franchise lived up to its name tonight, claiming victoire over the Ottawa Charge in Game Four of the Walter Cup Final to capture the PWHL's most coveted prize! It's the first time that the Walter Cup will call Canada home after tonight's win by the Victoire as they become the second PWHL team to have their name on the trophy while the Ottawa Charge came up short for the second time in their history. When Marie-Philip Poulin raised the Walter Cup above her head, this was the conclusion many coaches, players, and people wanted to see for a very long time!

For nine long years, Marie-Philip Poulin had not won a league championship in either the PWHL or the CWHL. There were many sacrifices that she made over that decade of misses and falling short that saw the CWHL fold, the PWHL finally come to be, financial decisions that were difficult, and personal decisions that challenged her, but the end result of all of those sacrifices and challenges was tonight's celebration where she was finally crowned a champion after being named as the Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP for her efforts.

"She's been our leader the whole year," defender Erin Ambrose told CBC's Karissa Donkin about Poulin. "She's the most unbelievable hockey player and the best hockey player to ever play this game. She deserves this more than anybody in the world."

As Donkin wrote, "[l]ast summer, Poulin, Laura Stacey and goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens renegotiated heir contracts to take less money, all so their GM could bring in the pieces they needed to complete the puzzle". They added some very good pieces with the extra salary cap room including Abby Roque, Hayley Scamurra, and Maggie Flaherty who were huge for Montreal in the playoffs. That's how much a Walter Cup meant to Poulin - she sacrificed to win. Again.

Poulin's drought without a championship wasn't the only one that was cured on this night. I've written about how Kaitlin Willoughby's long road led to her first PWHL goal this season, but what many don't realize is that she didn't play in the 2018-19 CWHL Playoffs when the Calgary Inferno captured the last Clarkson Cup. While she's could technically be considered a champion, I'm not sure she would feel the same way in knowing how much she loves playing the game.

She was unable to win a championship with the University of Saskatchewan. She wasn't dressed or on the ice for the Calgary Inferno's 2019 victory. She played through the PWHPA and eventually landed with the Toronto Sceptres. She was traded to Montreal last season, and she's been working towards a championship with her teammates this season. Kaitin Willoughby can now she she's a champion at the highest level of professional women's hockey!

I wanted to see Ottawa head coach Carla MacLeod win after all she's been through this season, but it was hard not to be emotional watching the weight of the hockey world lifted off Poulin when she was handed the Walter Cup. The tears that flowed from her eyes represented the years of sacrifices she made to reach that pinnacle. I imagine there was an emotional outburst from Willoughby as well once she was able to hoist the trophy. Again, it was well-earned.

In both cases, I am happy for Poulin and Willoughby after seeing all they've been through in their careers. For most people, no one will notice the sacrifices that they made to reach their goals, but these two women have sacrificed so much to be deservedly called "champion". They earned it, and their sacrifices should be known.

Congratulations to the Montreal Victoire on their championship tonight, and here's a nod to every member of the Victoire for earning the title of champion. Not just in hockey, but champions in life.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!