Canadiennes clinch first place with 2-1 win over the Inferno

Montreal won their seventh CWHL regular season title with a 2-1 win on Sunday. All Les Canadiennes needed heading into this weekend to secure the Chairman's Award and clinch first place in the CWHL was at least one win against the Inferno. The girls will come back to Montreal having done just that.

After dropping Saturday's contest in Calgary 4-2, Les Canadiennes came out strong on Sunday afternoon. Rebecca Johnston was a non-factor on the scoresheet, after putting up two goals and an assist in her return to action for the Inferno on Saturday. Last year's Angela James Bowl winner was held pointless on Sunday, however.

After a scoreless first period for Montreal, Noémie Marin put Montreal on the board 5:47 into the second period on a feed from Caroline Ouellette, giving Montreal a 1-0 lead.

Captain Cathy Chartrand would set up Katia Clement-Heydra 1:23 into the third to give Les Canadiennes a 2-0 lead and what would be their game winning goal.

Brianne Jenner had the shutout buster for Calgary, spoiling the Charline Labonté show. Les Canadiennes' netminder was spectacular on Sunday, making 34 saves in the victory, after her personal 11 game winning streak was snapped in Calgary on Saturday.

Calgary did pull goalie Delayne Brian with about a minute to go in the third, attempting to tie up the game, but were unable to do so, despite outshooting Montreal 14-7 in the final frame (and 35-24 overall).

With Sunday's win, Les Canadiennes clinched first place in the CWHL, after already having secured home ice advantage in the playoffs. Montreal will host the Toronto Furies in a best-of-three semifinal round on February 26-27-28. The Inferno will play the Brampton Thunder the same weekend but home ice is still up for grabs. The winners will go on to compete for the Clarkson Cup at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa on Sunday, March 13th.

Three Stars:

3 - Katia Clement-Heydra (Montreal)

2 - Brianne Jenner (Calgary)

1 - Charline Labonté (Montreal)

Les Canadiennes host the Boston Blades to close the regular season next weekend at the Etienne-Desmarteau Arena.