CWHL Clarkson Cup Will Be a Rematch of 2016 Finals
Les Canadiennes advance to Clarkson Cup Final with Sweep (@LesCanadiennes/Twitter)
Montreal - Les Canadiennes de Montreal earned a series sweep over the Brampton Thunder to advance to the Clarkson Cup Championship this weekend. Montreal picked up a 7-1 win on Friday and a 5-1 win on Saturday to advance to their third straight championship appearance.
On Friday, Les Canadiennes converted on 5 of 11 power play opportunities en route to a rout of the Brampton Thunder. Kim Deschenes picked up her first goal 10:36 into the first period to give Montreal a 1-0 lead, she also scored the last goal with 34 seconds left in regulation to cap off the 7-1 win. Karell Emard added two goals as well and Charline Labonte stopped 24 of 25 shots to keep the Thunder at bay.
On Saturday, Montreal picked up right where they left off scoring three goals in the first period. Marie-Philip Poulin gave Les Canadiennes a 1-0 lead just 16 seconds into the game and added a power play goal at the end of the first to notch her second goal of the game. Labonte again stopped 24 of 25 shots in the 5-1 victory for Montreal.
Calgary Inferno taken the distance but win in three to advance to Clarkson Cup final (@InfernoCWHL/Twitter)
Calgary - The Calgary Inferno have a Clarkson Cup to defend but were taking to the test early in the Clarkson Cup playoffs, dropping game one to the Toronto Furies before storming back in game two and three for the series win.
On Friday, Jenelle Kohanchuk put on a scoring clinic for the Furies, netting the only hat trick of the opening round and sending Toronto to a 1-0 series lead. Christina Kessler made 47 saves on 49 shots to preserve the win for the Furies. Toronto also went 2 of 5 on the power play while holding Calgary scoreless in their two opportunities.
On Saturday, with their backs against the wall the Inferno fell into an early 1-0 deficit on a goal by Natalie Spooner. The Calgary defense then kicked into another gear and shutdown Toronto. The Inferno outshot the Furies 40-29 in the game and picked up three unanswered goals to force a game three with a 3-1 win. Genevieve Lacasse got the start for Calgary and stopped 28 shots on 29 attempts.
Looking to defend their championship from a season ago, Calgary needed one more win to advance to the championship and a rematch against the awaiting Les Canadiennes de Montreal. After a scoreless first period, Haley Irwin put Calgary ahead 1-0 with a power play goal 5:28 into the second period. After some back and forth action Kohanchuk equalized the game for the Furies with her fourth goal of the playoffs. In the third, the Inferno got back to back scores in the first 45 seconds of the period to take a 3-1 lead. Brianne Jenner and Iya Gavrilova netted goals 14 second apart and the Inferno defense held off a tough Furies rush. Lacasse made 28 saves to hold on for the win.
It will be Calgary vs. Montreal in a one game playoff on Sunday, March 5, 2017. Last year Calgary routed Montreal in the championship, will this be a redemption year for Les Canadiennes? or a repeat year for the Inferno? Stay Tuned!
