The game was played before an impressive crowd of 4,082 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, home of the NHL’s Senators.

This was the fifth time in the last seven finals that Montreal, now called Les Canadiennes since this season, qualified while the Inferno were making their inaugural appearance.

Montreal advanced to the finals with consecutive wins of 5-1 and 7-1 over the Toronto Furies in one semi-finals matchup. The Inferno got to the ultimate game in similar fashion, defeating the Brampton Thunder by scores of 4-2 and 4-3 two weeks ago.

Both teams are loaded with players who have played internationally for their country.

Calgary includes Hayley Wickenheiser, Rebecca Johnston, Meghan Mikkelson, Brianne Jenner, and Haley Irwin. Les Canadiennes boasted Marie-Philip Poulin, who scored the gold-medal goal at both the 2010 and 2014 Olympics for Canada, goaltender Charline Labonte, forward Caroline Ouellette, and longtime American forward Julie Chu.

Teams exchanged goals early in the opening period before Calgary regained the lead late in the first on a power play. Jenner, in close, tried to backhand a pass across the crease, but the puck deflected off defenceman Lauriane Rougeau and into the goal behind Charline Labonte.

Jessica Campbell, the WW18 hero in 2010, made it 3-1 for the Inferno early in the second. Labonte made two nice saves but wasn’t helped by her defence, and Campbell jammed a rebound home to give Calgary a comfortable two-goal lead.

The Inferno had a great chance to further their lead midway through the period, but Labonte stoned Jenner and Johnston in quick succession to keep it a 3-1 game. Two minutes later, though, Blayre Turnbull did, in fact, extend the lead, making a sensational deke, going in alone on goal, and beating Labonte between the pads.

Noemie Morin got Montreal back in it at 12:58 when she scooped a loose puck behind Delayne Brian, but just 23 seconds later Turnbull got her second of the night to make it 5-2. The goal was set up by a superb saucer pass from Wickenheiser to Turnbull in the slot, and she rifled a high shot over Labonte’s glove.

The Inferno made it 6-2 at 5:34 of the third on a power play. Mikkelson’s shot was tipped in front by Campbell, putting the game out of reach.

In the end, Calgary was the better team. It got great goaltending from Brian, timely scoring, and a played solid positional game all over the ice.

The CWHL championship weekend got off to a great start on Friday night when former national team player Tessa Bonhomme co-hosted the annual awards night. Winners included:

Angela James Bowl (Regular Season Leading Scorer)
Marie-Philip Poulin (Montreal)

Chairman’s Trophy (Regular Season Champions)
Les Canadiennes de Montreal

Rookie Of the Year
Elana Lovell (Calgary)

Defenceman of the Year
Laura Fortino (Brampton)

Goaltender of the Year
Charline Labonte (Montreal)

League MVP
Marie-Philip Poulin (Montreal)

Coach of the Year
Tyler Fines (Brampton)

Previous Clarkson Cup winners
2008/09 Montreal Stars
2009/10 Minnesota Whitecaps
2010/11 Montreal Stars
2011/12 Montreal Stars
2012/13 Boston Blades
2013/14 Toronto Furies
2014/15 Boston Blades