Les Canadiennes enter playoffs as top team

Montreal's top women's hockey team, Les Canadiennes, demolished theirToronto rivals 5-1in the first game of the Clarkson Cupplayoff semi-finals.

While its NHLcounterparton the men's sidehas been floundering, Les Canadienneshad only three losses in 24 games in 2015-2016, finishing far ahead of theirnext closest competitor, the Calgary Inferno.

• Meet 'Les Canadiennes': Montreal's women's team gets new name

The team also boasts theCanadian Women's Hockey League's top four scorers.

The top point-getter, Marie-Philip Poulin, is a four-time Olympian who scored the game-winner for Canada at the Sochi Olympics.

Caroline Ouellette, who ranked fourth overall, is a former captain of the CanadianOlympic team.

Last week, LesCanadiennes finished the season with a dominant performance over the Boston Blades.

'It's been incredible to see so many little girls playing hockey and dream of one day becoming aCanadiennesde Montral.'-CarolineOuellette

But Ouellette said her team will face stiff competition in its three-game series against the Toronto Furies, which begins tonight in Montreal.

"We've had some really close games," Ouellette told CBC Montreal's Homerun.

"They are physical. They play with a lot of intensity and they want it the same way we do."

Increased visibility

It's been a big year for Les Canadiennes and the five-team league, now in its eighth season.

Last September, the teamformerly known as the Montreal Starsannounced its new name, new logo and new marketing and promotions links to theNHL'sCanadiens.

Les Canadiennes also faced off against the Boston Pride of the rival NWHLin its own version of the Winter Classic, ahead of the NHL game between the Habs and Bruins.

Despite the increased attention, however, the leaguestill doesn't generate enough revenue to pay its players, which means the players must also hold down jobs while playingcompetitive hockey.

Stable foundation

Ouellette said the CWHLstillneeds to build a stable foundation before it can hand out paycheques, adding that a formalpartnership with the NHL would help.

"I think we've seen an increase in our fan base here in Montreal.It's been incredible to see so many little girls playing hockey and dream of one day becoming aCanadiennesde Montral," Ouellette said.

"The partnership with the MontrealCanadienshas been great as far as visibility.We've worked so hard to get people to know that we're right here and we play with passion and with intensity."

The best of three semi-final beginsFriday, Feb. 26 at thetienne-DesmarteauArena(3430 Bellechasse) at6:45 p.m. Game two will be held atComplexe Sportif Bell (8000 Leduc, Brossard) on Saturday. Game three(if necessary) will be held on Sunday in Brossard at 5 p.m.For more details visit the team's website.