A Historic Women's Winter Classic

Dec 31, 2015
5 min read

Boston Pride (NWHL) and Les Canadiennes (CWHL) handshake at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Ma (MyWSports)

You cannot ask for a more beautiful day in Foxboro Massachusetts for hockey. The Women’s Winter Classic was set for 2pm in the middle of the football field at Gillette Stadium, pitting the Boston Pride versus Les Canadiennes de Montreal. Two teams, representing two different leagues, but coming together for one great showcase. After about a month of paperwork and logistics to work out between the two leagues, the Women’s Winter Classic was finalized three days prior to the New Year’s Eve matchup. Still, that didn’t stop hundreds of people from covering this historic event and thousands from coming out to see the game.

As I walked around the stadium to get in, there were still three hours before puck drop, but there was already a buzz around the stadium. The media that were coming into the stadium were talking about the excitement of the day and the mixing of the Bruins and Canadians practice, then the Women’s game, then the Alumni game all in one day. I walked into my first press box and was amazed at how many people were already typing away and putting together their feelings and their take on the day. Gillette Stadium was wet from previous snow, but the fake white sheets were still more prevalent than any actual snow. However, the ice was real.

Pregame, I was able to interview Brenda Andress Commissioner of the CWHL and Dani Rylan Commissioner of the NWHL. Brenda Andress was asked if this was CWHL’s idea and said, “Each year there is an outdoor game, we’ve wanted to be a part of it. This year with the NWHL coming onboard, it was an opportunity for the NHL to take women’s hockey to a new clientele.” She pointed to the opportunity of this game being Boston vs. Montreal, allowing the Women’s hockey leagues to mirror the teams of the NHL. She said “This is step one. We have three partnered CWHL teams and the NHL and Sportsnet has aired games.” When asked about the obstacles that were faced to make this event a reality, Andress related it to the first time you start a business or write a story and said “The great thing about obstacles is that you learn from them and you get better from them.” Andress was very happy with the exposure and the view of the future for Women’s hockey. When I asked about the idea of expansion versus stability she said “The Women’s game can’t grow faster than the grassroots itself. We don’t want to expand so that you have players who are not ready to play at that elite level. We want to be sure that players on the first, second, third and even fourth lines are at the elite level.”

Brenda Andress (CWHL Commish) and Dani Rylan (NWHL Commish) at Women's Winter Classic (MyWSports)

Dani Rylan of the NWHL talked about the obstacles as well, but said the NHL has put in a huge effort to support the Women’s Winter Classic “There are so many things you don’t think about, but the NHL thought of everything.” Rylan was in awe of how fast her league has grown “January 1st 2015, this league didn’t exist and this wouldn’t have been an opportunity anyone would’ve even dreamed about and December 31st 2015 we’re in a totally different position and the women’s game is on one of the biggest stages around.” I asked Dani if the NWHL has plans to extend their season or play more exhibition games to give the women more games to play. “It’s been a priority of ours to make sure these players are stepping on the ice enough, there were concerns from the NWHLPA that the players weren’t going to have enough training opportunities. We are starting to work on our schedule for next year and it does involve more games.”

Both women are excited to see the women’s game showcased in an event like this. Both women also agreed that they see more opportunities to grow the game and give women hockey athletes the chance to continue to play after college and between the Olympics. Neither eluded to any “preserved” animosity between the leagues, because I don’t believe there is any. These are two strong women who want to do everything they can to help grow women’s hockey.

The 30 minute countdown began as the Zambonis were cleaning the ice and on the back side of the rink 8 girls were playing on a backyard rink. As Les Canadiennes entered the stadium, the idea of an Outdoor Women’s hockey game was finally a reality. The Pride followed after and both teams waited at their bench as ice engineers finished checking the ice. Both teams took pictures at center ice and both teams were announced on the jumbotron as they stood on the blue line.

Game Recap

Boston wins opening faceoff, but loses it quickly. Les Canadiennes get first shot on goal, Brittany Ott Catches it. Montreal dumps in on first change, but Boston Def does a nice job of taking the puck. Les Canadiennes score first with goal scored by #9 Kim Deschenes, assisted by #10 Noemie Marin and #19 Katia Clement-Heydra. Montreal continued to control the puck most of the first period. Boston Pride Forward Denna Laing went for a hit near the end boards, tripped on a loose stick on the ice and was injured as time ran out to end of the first period. Laing was taken off on a stretcher after about six minutes and was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital for further evaluation. No Updates will be provided tonight per NWHL PR.

To start the second period, the Pride took the puck down deep in the zone and #29 Marie-Philip Poulin was called for a hooking penalty giving us the first Power Play of the game. Unfortunately, the Pride couldn’t capitalize and only got one real shot off on the power play. In the second period, the Pride are not passing well, not sure if it’s ice conditions or replacement players, but it is keeping them from controlling the puck. Pride get a nice shot by #3 Jillian Dempsey, but can’t get it by goalie Charline Labonte. The Pride finally put together a great rush, Dempsey passes to #91 Rachel Llanes, who puts a shot on net, #10 Blake Bolden tips it in and scores! Les Canadiennes gets one more solid chance off pounding the net at Ott, but no goal. Game over and the Historic Women’s Winter Classic ends in a 1-1 tie.

Post-Game

After the game we were able to speak with both coaches, Julie Chu and Marie-Philip Poulin of Les Canadiennes and Blake Bolden and Marissa Gedman of the Pride. Everyone was asked about their feelings on the game, Julie Chu put it best when she said “There was a big kid in us that came out and it was awesome.” And she said “It’s an honor to play… This was an incredible first stepping stone for women’s hockey.” Head Coach Bobby Jay was asked about the goals and he said “The skill is there, it’s fast, it’s exciting, for the more educated fan, you break down film… they execute excellent, they know what they’re doing, very systematic players, you blend the both and that’s what professional hockey is.” I asked Marissa Gedman if there was any ribbing between her and her brother Matt (who played in the Red Sox organization) about who was the bigger star and she said “There is some sibling rivalry there, but that’s what makes us better, my big brothers are awesome, very supportive, they were here today.” Blake Bolden credited a “beautiful thread through the defensemen” from Rachel Llanes for her goal.

This was a historic event. Two professional women’s hockey teams from two different leagues playing on the ice at the NHL Winter Classic. There may not have been a TV broadcast or streaming video or a radio broadcast for the game, but as the commissioners, the coaches, and the players all said, this was a great first step for Women’s Hockey.