Halifax in store for feisty battle with PWHL Takeover Tour

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The PWHL makes its Halifax in-person debut on Wednesday when the Montreal Victoire and Toronto Sceptres meet in the first of 16 Takeover Tour games the league is putting on this season.

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If we’re reading the tea leaves correctly, Halifax’s first live taste of the PWHL should be an extremely physical affair.

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The groundwork for that possibility was laid last Sunday in Laval when the Victoire simply ran over the normally rambunctious Sceptres on their way to a 3-1 win.

It was a reversal of roles for the two teams, and knowing the Sceptres veteran core and their head coach, not one Toronto will have taken very kindly towards.

Physical, aggressive hockey is the staple upon which the Sceptres’ game is built. They aren’t accustomed to being pushed around like they were in Laval. It led to a very one-sided contest and it should lead to a good response this coming Wednesday.

An international break for players to return to their respective national teams and continue preparations for the Olympics followed that game, so there has been time in between but there’s little chance that rather one-sided showing last Sunday didn’t sow some discontent that will still be around by Wednesday’s match.

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‘Rivalry is very strong’

“In past seasons we have always had incredible games against Montreal,” Sceptres defender Allie Munroe said on a conference call promoting the Halifax game Friday. “The rivalry is very strong and it just continues to grow.

“The last game, on the physicality side, I would say they had the upper hand on us so we’re just really looking to put the work boots on and get down to business right away when we get to Halifax and just continue that rivalry because it’s really fun.”

It’s no secret Montreal used the expansion process and the changes forced on every team in the league to re-make themselves into a more physical side.

They brought in players like Abby Roque and Hayley Scamurra, Shiann Darkangelo and Jessica DiGirolamo, to toughen up the lineup.

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Roque is one of the more physical players in the league, so it was apparent just from who they went out and obtained that was going to be the plan.

“The team wants to play heavier on pucks, win more battles and play a little more physical than they have in the past,” Roque said. “Obviously I think that’s part of the reason I’m here, so for me it’s just trying to put my best foot forward and just make sure I’m still playing that physical game and doing what I can to add that to the team.”

Roque is no stranger to intense battles and is frankly expecting one from the Sceptres on Wednesday.

“I think the last game got pretty physical at times, in moments,” Roque said. “I think some games I definitely feel are heavier games against (the Sceptres) than others. I feel like a few of their girls who are more physical, especially in that Halifax environment, might bring it a little more so we have to be ready for that.”

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Homegrown talent in town

Count Munroe, who comes from the other side of the province at Yarmouth among that group, and don’t forget captain Blayre Turnbull who will be playing in front of a lot of longtime friends and family from Stellarton, N.S., who will be making the trek to Halifax to see that town’s most famous hockey export.

Throw in national team members like Renata Fast, Ella Shelton, and Emma Maltais, all of whom thrive in the physical aspect of the game much like the previously mentioned two Sceptres, and the almost sold old Scotiabank Centre crowd should have plenty to cheer about on Wednesday.

Ten days after their Halifax meeting, the same two teams will meet up again at the Bell Centre in Montreal for the third meeting in 20 days between the two clubs.

“The more games that you play against an opponent, especially when you have that basis of competitive games, I think it just gets more and more heated every single time,” Sceptres forward Maggie Connors, who hails from St. John’s, said. “But at the end of the day, we love playing them. I’m so happy it is Montreal that we are playing in Halifax … They’re an incredible team.”

As of Friday, there were less than 1,000 tickets left for the 10,500 seat venue.

Puck drop is 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

mganter@postmedia.com

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