1 week Ago By Jordan Ercit
Hockey star Marie-Philip Poulin is motivated by the opportunity to compete in the playoffs, no matter the opponent. The fact Montreal will in the Professional Women’s Hockey League post-season only adds fuel to the fire. “Every time you have a chance to play in the playoffs against any team, it’s exciting,” Poulin, Montreal’s captain, said Wednesday at the Verdun Auditorium.
“It’s going to be even more special to play against Boston.” The spirited rivalry between the NHL’s Canadiens and Bruins goes back decades. The PWHL will add another layer to it this week when Montreal hosts Boston in Game 1 of their best-of-five semifinal series Thursday night at Place Bell .
Montreal coach Kori Cheverie, of New Glasgow, N.S., says Boston is a rival no matter where you’re from.
“I don’t know how many teams actually like Boston in any sport, in men’s hockey, women’s hockey, I don’t think they’re well-liked,” Cheverie said. Born and bred in Massachusetts, Montreal forward Jillian Dempsey finds herself on the other end of the matchup. Dempsey played for Harvard University, the Boston Blades of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League and the Boston Pride of the Premier Hockey Federation.
The 33-year-old is also a rabid Bruins fan who “grew up with the heated rivalry.” “It’s a weird situation, but I’ve never played for that Boston team, so I have nothing there,” Dempsey said. “I’ve always been Boston over anybody my whole life, but this is my tea.
