The LPHF match in Quebec, a moment awaited by Dubois, Poulin and Desbiens

La Victoire de Montréal has already played three matches on neutral ground since the start of the season, but Sunday’s match, presented in Quebec, at the Videotron Center, will have a special flavor for three players from the region.

This match will allow captain Marie-Philip Poulin to see relatives and friends she has not seen for a long time. More than 150 tickets were purchased by his group of supporters. Among them, her grandmother, Julienne Bisson, who has not had the chance to see her evolve in person for many years.

It’s going to be very special to see people close to me come to Quebec. Especially my grandmother. It’s been a while since she’s seen me play live so it’s going to be really funshe pointed out, with a smile on her lips.

When the holding of this match was officially announced last October, Ann-Renée Desbiens said that she would just manage the tickets for her immediate family, so as not to be overwhelmed. She ultimately purchased nearly 130 tickets so that her family and friends from the Charlevoix region could attend the meeting.

I stopped counting how many people were going to be there. I just arranged for them to have the tickets early enough so that I didn’t have to deal with that, she said. I’m definitely looking forward to playing in Quebec. It’s close to home, it’s easier for family and friends. I’m going to go join them after the match. Obviously, I can’t wait. It’s another opportunity to grow women’s hockey in another city.

For her part, Catherine Dubois grew up in Charlesbourg, about five minutes from the Videotron Center. She will be able to count on the support of around a hundred people in the stands.

It’s certain that playing in Quebec is a dream. I didn’t think I would play in Quebec again after my minor hockey. I dreamed of this for a long time, to play in front of my family and friends. It’s really going to be special for me.

I played in the pee-wee tournament, I was in the Petits Remparts so we were the local team. We played our first game in front of maybe 17,000 people. At 10 years old, it’s a bit impressive, recalled Dubois. I also remember playing with my brothers. My brother is a year older so we played together in Quebec.

This tour of the LPHF in different cities that do not have a team also serves, in a way, to evaluate which markets could receive an expansion team. The three Quebec players are convinced that a rivalry between Montreal and Quebec could quickly develop.

From the world of hockey

Quebec is a bit like Montreal. The supporters are really present. It’s going to be noisy, I have no doubt about it. They will support us, they will be there. In Quebec, it’s hockey worldassured Dubois.

Ann-Renée Desbiens believes that the interest in women’s hockey in the Quebec region is very real. The goalkeeper spent several years in the capital. She played minor hockey there for six years, boarded with a family in Loretteville and attended CEGEP in Limoilou.

We will see the market grow with the Titan of Cégep Limoilou and the Aces of Quebec who are very successful. I think the region is currently doing a good job developing women’s hockey.

The goalkeeper did not want to confirm if she will be in net for this historic match. She let it be known that anything was possible, but it would be surprising, even improbable, for Kori Cheverie to deprive the player and the supporters of this moment.