Maya Smith is joined by Montréal Victoire beat writer Dylan Nazareth to break down the final series, why this Victoire team finally managed to get it done, and how Marie-Philip Poulin won playoff MVP.
New champion crowned
Nazareth joined the Victoire on the ice after their historic win Wednesday night. He said that it was clear that the locker room was a huge motivator for the team.
“It’s been a process for them, and it kind of all paid off getting on the ice after just seeing how much, how tight-knit this group is, how much love they have for each other, and how they […] really wanted to do it for their captain, they wanted to do it for each other, to see Poulin lift that cup,” Nazareth said.
Smith, too, said that Poulin winning the cup felt like a long time coming, despite the youth of the PWHL.
“… It feels like this was an inevitable thing that had to happen in the history of this league, to see Poulin win the Walter Cup, like, I mean, she has gold medals, she has world championship wins … but it just feels like that moment that, like, needed to happen,” Smith said.
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On today’s episode, Smith and Nazareth also discussed other keys to the Victoire’s success, including new ice-time strategies from head coach Kori Cheverie and acquisitions in the off-season.
Poulin wins MVP
Smith and Nazareth explained their takes on the hotly-contested race for MVP. Smith said that she put Victoire goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens first on her ballot, followed by Poulin and Abby Roque. Nazareth put Polin first on his ballot — but not out of any disrespect for Desbiens.
“Desbiens is probably one of the biggest difference makers for Montréal, one of the reasons they’re in the finals, one of the reasons they win it. And I — she was so impressive through this whole stretch, this whole playoffs,” Nazareth said.
“The reason I put Poulin first, for me, what she pulled off in these playoffs was very impressive. She came away with two game-winning goals, she had the game-winning assist in the series, and set up the play in Game One to make that tying goal, and you know they got the overtime winner,” Nazareth continued, adding the fact Poulin has been playing through an injury made the performance even more impressive.
“ … She’s just that player, and it’s — whether people think it’s a popularity contest or whatever. She like, deserves every single accolade that she has ever gotten, including the MVP of this series,” Smith said.
The duo wrapped up the podcast talking about the upcoming league expansion next year — welcome, San Jose! — and how the teams will look different going into next season.
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What you missed on today’s episode of Women’s Sports Daily: Caitlin Clark misses a game due to injury and Montreal wins big