She’s a champion, Marcus

The GIST: As you read and have surely seen all over your feed, Montréal Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin is a Walter Cup champion and playoff MVP, a moment that feels both long-overdue and serendipitous for one of the world’s greatest hockey players. In honor of MPP’s victory, let’s get re-acquainted with Captain Clutch’s trailblazing lore.

💪 Poulin was instrumental in founding the PWHL: Shortly after the Canadian Women’s Hockey League folded in 2019, Poulin and other prominent players began laying the groundwork for what would become the PWHL, dreaming of a sustainable, cross-border women’s pro league. This time would be different.

• Six months before the PWHL’s January 2024 debut, the league’s players association ratified their collective bargaining agreement (CBA), a savvy move spearheaded by MPP to ensure that players were treated as professionals before puck drop.

• With Wednesday’s win, one of the PWHL’s resilient and relentless pioneers lifted the trophy she helped to create. Still crying.

👀 Zooming out: That full circle victory put a bow on a breakout season for the league.Viewership spiked and more than 1M fans attended games — and it’s only up from here with four expansion teams joining for the 2026-27 campaign. Up next? A game-changing draft on June 17th. Calendar, cleared.

🇫🇷 The French Open is a true endurance test, with conditions that test even elite athletes. Know who can handle tough conditions with ease? The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid is designed to handle it all and more.

• Demanding Terrain: Tires designed for tight turns and fast moves.

• Unpredictable Twists: Equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 4.0.

• Long Hauls: 49 miles of all-electric driving range, then 36 MPG to keep the trip going.

If “victory belongs to the most tenacious,” the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid has earned its place on the podium. Applause, applause, applause.

🇫🇷 Throwing a très chic French Open watch party? Why not get a little help from the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid?

• ☕️ 49 miles of all-electric range, then 36 MPG, so you can go the extra mile on your quest for the perfect French roast.

• 🥖 Tons of storage space for your grocery run (suggestions: baguette, brie, and beignets).

• 🎾 Room for the whole squad for your own post-match rally sesh.

🎓🥎 NCAA softball: Super Regionals — Ongoing through Sunday — ESPN Networks

• No. 2 Tennessee is now one win away from clinching a Women’s College World Series (WCWS) berth after taking Game 1 of its Super Regional, while No. 4 Nebraska and No. 13 Oklahoma State saw their opener suspended due to severe weather last night. The game will resume tonight with the score tied 0–0 in the first inning. Mother Nature remains undefeated.

• And the action only ramps up through the weekend: The eight-team WCWS field will be set by the next time we talk. Oklahoma City or bust, baby.

🏀 WNBA: Atlanta Dream vs. Dallas Wings — Tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET — ION

• The Wings are, well, taking flight, showing off their depth with Jess Shepard’s recent triple-double. And they’ll be dressing for revenge, but this Dream team can be a nightmare to defend, especially when it comes to walking double-double Angel Reese.

⚽ NWSL: Portland Thorns vs. Kansas City Current — Sunday at 1 p.m. ET — CBS

• The Thorns are neck-and-neck with the San Diego Wave for the top spot in the NWSL, but after San Diego’s surprising Wednesday draw, Portland could create some space with a dub over Kansas City, who are building momentum after a slow season start.

🏎️ Formula 1: Canadian Grand Prix — Sunday at 4 p.m. ET — ESPN

• Buckle up because not only is F1 and F1 Academy back on track, but it’s also a sprint weekend. That means double the races (though the sprint is just 23 laps compared to the GP’s 70), double the qualifying, and double the flag-waving fun.