A successful weekend on and off the ice finished with Les Canadiennes sweeping the Calgary Inferno to move into first place in the CWHL standings while raising a record amount for the fight against breast cancer, in front of two large and passionate crowds at Étienne-Desmarteau Arena.

With the wins, Les Canadiennes (16-2-0) extended their winning streak to nine games while remaining unbeaten at home this season.

Marie-Philip Poulin scored four goals in the two wins, propelling her into the CWHL goal-scoring lead while holding on to her spot as the League’s top point-getter. Linemate Ann-Sophie Bettez recorded four assists to remain a point behind Poulin, in second place, while veteran Caroline Ouellette moved into the top 10 with three goals and an assist on the weekend. With her weekend output, Bettez extended her point streak to nine games, recording 16 points during that stretch (six goals, 10 assists).

Saturday, the team held its sixth annual “Let’s Beat Breast Cancer!” game to benefit the Wellness Initiative of the Cedars Breast Clinic at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). This year’s edition raised over $14,000 for the clinic, bringing the overall total donation to more than $70,000 over the six years.

As has become tradition, the event included numerous special guests, including CWHL Commissioner Brenda Andress, Pierrefonds-Roxboro Borough Mayor and Montreal Executive Committee Member at Ville de Montréal responsible for Sport and Leisure, Dimitrios (Jim) Beis, and Marc-André Gadoury, city councillor for Rosemont-La-Petite-Patrie. Cancer survivor and current Cedars patient Maggie Ciarlelli was the guest of honour for the ceremonial puck drop.

Saturday, January 30: Les Canadiennes 5, Calgary Inferno 2

After a scoreless first period in which Les Canadiennes held a 9-4 edge on the shot clock, the team finally got one past Calgary goaltender Delayne Brian on a late second period power play. Ann-Sophie Bettez took a Lauriane Rougeau feed along the end boards and found Caroline Ouellette at the bottom edge of the right circle to put Montreal ahead 1-0 at 14:27.

The ice was barely dry when Noémie Marin doubled the lead 34 seconds into the third period. Rookie Elana Lovell, who leads the Inferno in scoring, cut the lead in half less than a minutes and a half later but Les Canadiennes snapped any momentum gained with a pair of quick goals a minute later. Ouellette picked up her second of the night when she finished off a 3-on-1 while Poulin got the crowd roaring even louder 25 seconds later on a perfect give-and-go with Bettez.

Louise Warren brought the Inferno to within a pair on a 2-on-1 at 14:03 of the period. Poulin notched her second of the night with an empty-net tally. Saturday's game marked Montreal's 175th regular season win.

Game summary: http://bit.ly/20160130CGY

Sunday, January 31: Les Canadiennes 3, Calgary Inferno 1

For the second straight game, the goaltenders held the CWHL’s top two offences at bay in the opening period. And, for the second straight game, Les Canadiennes struck quickly to turn the contest in their favour.

Marie-Philip Poulin got things going just 20 seconds into the second period when Ann-Sophie Bettez found her in the right slot. The goal was in the middle of being announced when Caroline Ouellette made it 2-0 a mere 21 seconds later with a shot from just about the goal line.

While the rest of the frame remained scoreless, Les Canadiennes wasted little time adding to their lead in the third period. Kim Deschênes, to the side of the net, found Poulin in front for her second of the afternoon just 23 seconds into the final stanza.

Jenna Cunningham, playing in her 100th career game in the CWHL, broke Charline Labonté’s shutout bid at 16:52 of the third period.

Game summary: http://bit.ly/20160131CGY

Upcoming Schedule

Les Canadiennes will host the Brampton Thunder on Saturday, Feb. 6 and Sunday, Feb. 7. The Brampton Thunder are 3rd in the standings, only four points behind Les Canadiennes and two behind the Calgary Inferno. Saturday’s outreach game (5:30 p.m.) will be played at the Boisbriand Municipal Arena, where goaltender Charline Labonté, grew up. Sunday’s contest (1:30 p.m.) will be held at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard.