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The PWHL Takeover Tour made its stop in Winnipeg on Sunday night for the league’s inaugural game in the rabid hockey market. As expected, it was a success. A sellout crowd of 15,225 in attendance watched the Ottawa Charge defeat the Montreal Victoire, 2-1 in overtime.
Extra time needed
After a scoreless first period, both teams got on the board in the middle frame. Gabbie Hughes got the ice-breaker for the Charge but Nicole Gosling got the equalizer for the Victoire not too long afterwards. After several close calls in the final frame, the game remained tied at 1 after
60 minutes. It took all of 12 seconds for Rebecca Leslie to find the back of the net for the Charge in OT on the PP and win the game for Ottawa. The sellout crowd gave a standing ovation to both teams as they shook hands.
Local heroes come home
Both teams featured a born and raised Manitoban in their respective line-up. Jocelyne Larocque of the Charge is from the small-town Ste. Anne, Manitoba. Kati Tabin of the Victoire is from Winnipeg. Both players had enormous support in the crowd from their respective family and
friends. It was a memorable touch to the special night in Winnipeg.
Notable absence
Victoire forward Marie-Philip Poulin was one player that did not suit up for this game. Poulin is day-to-day with a lower body injury. Poulin, of course, is arguably the best women’s hockey player on the planet. Hopefully, she is back in the Victoire line-up sooner rather than later.
Expansion team in Winnipeg?
The most frequently question during he special night: Will Winnipeg ever be the home of a PWHL franchise in the future? It is complicated. Although the fanbase is here, the Canada Life Centre is currently the only arena that is capable of being the home of a PWHL
franchise. However, the Canada Life Centre is already the home of the both Winnipeg Jets and the Manitoba Moose. It would be quite the scheduling challenge to base another professional hockey league team out of this venue.
Only time will tell if the logistics can be worked out. Nevertheless, there is not a shadow of a doubt that the fanbase would be here to support their PWHL team. That was just proven in spades.
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