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This past March, Les Canadiennes won their fourth Clarkson Cup but this weekend they will do something they have never done: raise a banner.
With Montreal in a new semi-permanent home at the Michel Normandin arena for the next two seasons, and a future more permanent home at the Verdun Auditorium in the works, the team will unveil Clarkson Cup championship banners from all of their previous championships.
Aside from the championship banners to be unveiled before Sunday’s game, Montreal will play Toronto twice after beating them 8-3 last week in Toronto.
New captain Ann-Sophie Bettez is coming off a four-goal weekend, plus a shootout winner. She only had four goals in seven games prior to the breakout. She had a hat trick against Toronto.
Montreal also had Emerance Maschmeyer play both games of the weekend for the first time this season. Maschmeyer was named CWHL goaltender of the week and now sits at 5-1-0 on the season with a 1.95 GAA and .923 save percentage.
It’s evident that Maschmeyer is key for Montreal’s success this season.
Defender Cathy Chartrand still leads Les Canadiennes in scoring this season, with 10 points (four goals, six assists) in nine games this season.
Against Toronto and Markham, Montreal had two new-look lines to lead their offence. They had Bettez with Noémie Marin and Karell Emard and Katia Clement-Heydra with Kayla Tutino and Sarah Lefort. Both lines had great weekends and had goals.
For the Furies, Emily Fulton leads the way with five goals and six points, both top on the team. Jenna Dingeldein and Carolyne Prevost - a former Montreal CWHL player - both have four points this season and are tied for second.
In goal, Sonja van der Bliek is Toronto’s starter with a 2-6-1 record, 2.91 GAA and .914 save percentage. She allowed four goals against Montreal in last Sunday’s 8-3 loss. Toronto’s other goaltenders are Sami Jo Small and Amanda Makela, both of whom have seen game action this year.
Saturday’s game is at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday’s game will start at 1:30 p.m. after the banner ceremony. Both games are at the Michel Normandin arena at the Claude Robillard Sports Complex. Tickets are $15 and are available here.