CWHL Weekend Preview: Les Canadiennes look to rain on Thunder’s parade

After facing the Calgary Inferno in a rematch of the 2016 and 2017 Clarkson Cup final, Les Canadiennes now get set to host the 2018 Champion Markham Thunder for two games this weekend.

Les Canadiennes and the Thunder have a long-standing rivalry and these games are always heated and usually close.

There will be a lot of star quality on display as one of the best defenders in the sport, Laura Fortino will go head to head against Marie-Philip Poulin, Hilary Knight and a Montreal attack that has only three goals through two games.

The Thunder are on an unbelievable run, as well.

Weekend schedule

Saturday, October 20 - Complexe Sportif Bell (Brossard) - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 21 - Michel Normandin Arena (Complexe Claude-Robillard) - 1:30 p.m.

How to Watch

Complexe Sportif Bell: 8000 Boul. Leduc, Brossard (Québec) J4Y 0E9

Michel Normandin Arena: 850 Avenue Émile-Journault, Montréal, QC H2M 2E2
Public Transit: Crémazie Metro

Tickets

Playoff Memories

Les Canadiennes will face-off against the Markham Thunder for the first time since their elimination from last years Clarkson Cup Playoffs.

The series, which lasted two games, had Markham winning 2-1 in overtime, and 4-1, before going on to win the Clarkson Cup. Last year’s regular season meetings between the two teams had Montreal winning all five games. All of those games were close in score and were decided by one goal, with two being won in overtime and one in the shootout.

What has changed?

The roster Montreal is icing this will have some substantial differences from last season. First, the return of both team’s Olympians is bound to have significant on ice implications. Olympic MVP Melodie Daoust is playing her first season with Montreal after being drafted in 2017. Hilary Knight, though present for the playoffs, will be playing her first full season in Montreal. It will also be her first season alongside captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who was also absent last season due to the Olympics. Montreal also has newly acquired Olympians Geneviève Lacasse and Jillian Saulnier. Montreal’s roster will be lacking some of the players from last years playoff meetup, with top players such as Caroline Ouellette, Cathy Chartrand and Noémie Marin having retired in the off-season.

Markham’s roster will also be different as a result of a number of off-season acquisitions. Brooke Webster, who averaged a point per game last season with the Vanke Rays, has joined the team. Angela James Bowl co-winner Jess Jones will also be returning to Markham after spending a year in the NWHL. All of Markham’s Olympians - Laura Fortino, Jocelyne Larocque, and Laura Stacey - had returned for last year’s playoffs.

This Season

The season has started off well for the Thunder who won both games in their opening weekend beating the Worcester Blades 6-0 and 4-1. Montreal won the first game against Calgary 2-1, and lost the second 3-1. This is the first of three series between the two teams.

By the Numbers

Rosters