After a weekend of playoff battles, the stage is set for what promises to be an incredible 2016 Clarkson Cup battle between Les Canadiennes de Montreal and Calgary Inferno. The Clarkson Cup, named after former Governor General of Canada Adrienne Clarkson and regarded as The Stanley Cup of women’s hockey is awarded annually to the champion of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League.

The Inferno advance to the finals for the first time in club history and will face off against Les Canadiennes, the team’s 5th trip to the finals in 7 years. 

Les Canadiennes de Montreal (1) vs. Toronto Furies (4)
The Toronto Furies travelled to Montreal to face the Chairman’s Trophy holders Les Canadiennes in the first of the league’s two Clarkson Cup Playoff series. Montreal recorded a 5-1 victory on Friday before sweeping the series Saturday with a 7-1 win. Montreal forward Caroline Ouellette set a CWHL record for points in a single Clarkson Cup game with 6 points (2G, 4A).

Calgary Inferno (2) vs. Brampton Thunder (3)
In Calgary, the league’s second seed swept the visiting Brampton Thunder in two games, with a 4-2 victory Friday followed by a 4-3 victory Saturday to send them to their first Clarkson Cup Final.  Recently returned Rebecca Johnston led the Inferno charge by backing up Friday’s two point effort with the game winner and an assist Saturday.

Tickets for the 2016 CWHL Clarkson Cup Final, to be held at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa on Sunday, March 13 at 4 p.m. ET are now on sale. The 2016 Clarkson Cup Final will be broadcast live on Sportsnet nationwide. Tickets are $20 with group rates available and can be purchased by visiting www.CapitalTickets.ca, by phone at 613-599-FANS (3267) or 1-877-788-FANS (3267). For group ticket information, please call 613-599-0247 or email GibsonB@Ottawasenators.com.

2016 CWHL AWARD NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

Prior to the Clarkson Cup Playoffs, the CWHL also announced the finalists for the league’s major awards including Most Valuable Player. Winners and nominees for the awards announced include:

Angela James Bowl (Regular Season Leading Scorer)
Marie-Philip Poulin
 
Chairman’s Trophy (Regular Season Champions)
Les Canadiennes de Montreal
 
Rookie Of the Year
Katia Clement-Heydra (Montreal)
Rebecca Vint (Brampton)
Elana Lovell (Calgary)
 
Defenceman of the Year
Lauriane Rougeau (Montreal)
Julie Chu (Montreal)
Laura Fortino (Brampton)
 
Goaltender of the Year
Genevieve Lacasse (Boston)
Charline Labonte (Montreal)
Erica Howe (Brampton)
 
League MVP
Natalie Spooner (Toronto)
Marie-Philip Poulin (Montreal)
Laura Fortino (Brampton)
 
The 2016 CWHL Awards Gala will be held on Friday March 11 at the Brookstreet Hotel, Ottawa as we celebrate the 2015-16 season and the achievements of the teams and their players. Tickets are on sale now via Store.CWHL.CA .
 
Media Contacts
CWHL: Sasky Stewart, Communications Director
647-780-5719 communications@cwhl.ca
 
About the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL)
The CWHL is the most premier, professionally-run women's hockey league in the world. It enables elite female hockey players to pursue their dreams of competing at the highest level possible, while enhancing the lives of others through exceptional athleticism, entertainment and motivation. The league is centrally funded, with all participating teams in the CWHL receiving equal access to financial support and given the same opportunities to succeed. The CWHL is a not-for-profit organization, with every dollar going towards building a league that is dedicated to raising the profile of women's hockey, providing a place for the best female players in the world to compete and inspiring the next generation of female hockey heroines.



About the Ottawa Senators
One of seven NHL franchises based in Canada, the Ottawa Senators returned to the league in 1992 following a 58-year absence. Ottawa won 11 Stanley Cups during its original reign from 1903 to 1934. The modern-day Senators have captured four titles in the Northeast Division and a Presidents’ Trophy in 2002-03. Since 1992, the Senators together with its foundation, alumni, partners and fans have now contributed more than $100 million to community initiatives in the National Capital Region. For more information, visit www.ottawasenators.com.

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is the Official Bank of the NHL®; NHL Alumni™; CWHL; Winnipeg JetsTM; Toronto Maple Leafs®; Calgary Flames®, whose home arena is the Scotiabank Saddledome; and the Ottawa Senators®, whose home arena is Scotiabank Place. The bank also has a partnership with the Montreal Canadiens®. Scotiabank has a long tradition of supporting hockey in Canada from local teams and minor hockey associations to professional players and leagues. Across Canadian communities from coast to coast, Scotiabank's Community Hockey Sponsorship Program reaches out to more than 4,500 minor hockey teams. To find out more about Scotiabank's hockey programs, please visit www.facebook.com/scotiahockeyclub. Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, ‘Bright Future.’ Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $47 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us atwww.scotiabank.com.