Rivalry Takes to Vancouver Stage for Surging Victoire, Struggling Sceptres

Marie-Philip Poulin likes hugs. Just not so much when they’re coming from her opponents.

Mic’d up by CBC Sports in the Montreal Victoire’s Dec. 21, 4-3 win against the Toronto Sceptres, Poulin quipped to officials about opponents bear-hugging her—after wishing the Sceptres a bad Christmas, of course.

Although the 25 minutes of penalties -- 15 of which credited to an eventually suspended hit from Rylind MacKinnon, might not scream feisty -- don’t kid yourself.

The Montreal vs. Toronto rivalry is the roughest and most hotly contested in the PWHL. The league picked it for 2024’s Battle on Bay Street and will feature it in the Takeover Tour matchup in Vancouver on Wednesday.

“Every game is like a final game for all of us. Honestly, [the season is] 30 games, so it's short, so every game matters for the three points,” Poulin said. “It's going to be exciting. It's going to be a great game, and it's going to be physical.”

Physicality was a significant attraction of the PWHL’s inaugural season. While the novelty may have worn off for some of the original markets, seeing body checking in women’s hockey and the post-whistle skirmishes will still be new for Vancouver fans.

With the rivalry in particular, the physicality is only emphasized, especially given MacKinnon’s previous suspension and where the two teams find themselves in the standings. Montreal sits atop the league with 14 points, while the Sceptres look to remain in the playoff hunt, sitting last on seven points in as many games.

While the moment of playing the first PWHL game in Western Canada will take the spotlight, it’s not lost on the players just how important the game is. Let alone the critical nature of creating an exciting contest for many first-time fans.

“Last year, we were on the positive end of the record against them, and I think every game we played against them has been so intense. We played well against them last time at home, and I think we're ready to bring that again tomorrow,” Sceptres forward Emma Maltais said.

“We also all want to perform for these new fans...I'm going to bring the same level of competitiveness, but against Montreal, it's always just another level.”

Both teams have had their moments against other clubs, with some intense games between Toronto and the Ottawa Charge and a budding rivalry between the Boston Fleet and the Victoire. Still, the rivalry between Toronto and Montreal runs deep, far away from the ice.

“It’s Montreal and Toronto, and it's always going to be a rivalry,” Surrey, BC local and Victoire forward Jennifer Gardiner added. “It's going to be incredible, and just to do it on home ice in Vancouver, it's a special feeling.”

Sceptres looking for form against red-hot Victoire

Things haven’t been smooth for Toronto, but they’ve been great for Montreal.

After a slow start in net for Kristen Campbell, the Sceptres have opted for Raygan Kirk in their recent stretch, with the rookie posting a .910 save percentage in just under 200 minutes.

Although Kirk has been stable, the Sceptres have still had trouble with consistency. While rookies MacKinnon, Julia Gosling, and Izzy Daniel have settled quickly, the Sceptres have only mustered 18 goals, tied for last place in the PWHL. It doesn’t help that they're up against a Montreal team that features star netminders Ann-Renée Desbiens and Elaine Chuli.

Toronto’s adjustments, though, might start to pay off. Still settling in after a blockbuster trade, blueliner Savannah Harmon and winger Hayley Scamurra will get their second game in blue and gold.

Harmon continued skating with Renata Fast on the top pairing on Wednesday, with Scamurra remaining with Maltais and captain Blayre Turnbull.

“We're excited about the additions. They seem like great people so far meeting them and everything, and great players, of course, too.” MacKinnon said, having experienced players coming in and out of a team for the first time in her career. “It’s a pro game now, and that’s new, but it’s exciting.”

On Montreal’s side, it’s about maintaining a strong vein of form and relying on depth. While Poulin, Laura Stacey, and Erin Ambrose played intense minutes last year, the club’s depth development has allowed it to reach new levels in 2024-25.

Gardiner, Cayla Barnes and Abby Boreen -- Montreal’s top three draft picks -- have scored a combined 12 points on Montreal’s 19 goals, while their goaltending remains the league's envy.

After surrendering a two-goal lead to fall 3-2 to the Fleet in the Seattle Takeover tour game, the Victoire will also want to bounce back, looking to hold off the Minnesota Frost, who are tied on points for the league lead.

Stats, though, can only mean so much in a league like the PWHL. With just six teams featuring the world’s best players, any team is in any game, even if it’s the top seed against the current bottom feeders.

“We feel like we match up very well against them, we play very well against them, it’s always physical, and they’re always really good in tight games,” Sceptres forward Sarah Nurse said. “At the end of the day, though, we want to win.”