Marie-Philip Poulin, the captain of the Montreal Victoire, has become the linchpin of her team’s playoff run despite a lingering injury that has kept her sidelined for much of the regular season. Her ability to control the tempo and create scoring chances has made her the most feared forward in the Walter Cup.
The defining moment came in Game 2 of the final, when Poulin threaded a no-look pass to Maggie Flaherty, who buried the puck in overtime to clinch a 2-1 victory. The play not only swung the series lead but also underscored Poulin’s knack for delivering clutch performances when the stakes are highest.
Flaherty, after the game, deflected credit to Poulin, saying the pass was a product of the captain’s vision and trust in her teammates. That humility, coupled with her on-ice brilliance, has earned her the respect of every player in the locker room.
A Leader On and Off the Ice
Poulin’s leadership extends beyond the rink. Teammates such as Nicole Gosling, Ann-Renée Desbiens, Kori Cheverie and Kati Tabin have spoken of her steady presence during tough stretches, noting that her emotional support helps keep the group focused and resilient.
The Victoire now sit ahead 2-0 in the best-of-five series against the Ottawa Charge, a squad anchored by goaltender Gwyneth Philips, who was last year’s playoff MVP and continues to turn away high-quality chances.
Game 3 is set for Monday at 6 p.m. ET at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, where the Charge hope to rally and force a Game 4. The atmosphere is expected to be electric, with fans eager to see whether Poulin can continue her dominant scoring streak.
Beyond the current series, Poulin’s season statistics are eye-catching: she leads all playoff skaters with seven points in seven games and was named the league’s MVP and top forward last season after topping the charts in goals and assists.