Montreal Lions Pickleball CNPL Victory: The 2025 CNPL Metropolitan Split kicked off its regular season at CourtX in Oakville on September 6th, 2025, with the Montreal Lions dominating the Detroit-Windsor Drive. The Lions won all four games, finishing 21-11, 21-19, 21-19, and 21-13. Montreal Lions claimed the victory 4-0.
The Canadian National Pickleball League’s first regular-season event featured competitive matchups between top regional teams. Detroit-Windsor Drive struggled against a strong Montreal Lions lineup. Each player contributed in singles and mixed doubles, but the Drive could not secure a single win.
| Team | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 | Total Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drive | 11 | 19 | 19 | 13 | 0 |
| Lions | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 4 |
Team Performance
Detroit-Windsor Drive’s players Alexis Contratto, Evan Hollinsky, Natalie Araya, and Wesley Gabrielsen all fell short in their games. Contratto scored 19 points in singles but lost 21-19, and paired with Hollinsky in MX2 doubles, they lost 21-18. Araya and Gabrielsen also failed to win points in MX1 doubles.
| Player | POTM | Category Wins | Category PF | Category PA | Mixed Wins | Mixed PF | Mixed PA | Mixed Pair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexis Contratto | 0 | 0 | 19 | 21 | 0 | 18 | 21 | MX2 |
| Evan Hollinsky | 0 | 0 | 13 | 21 | 0 | 18 | 21 | MX2 |
| Natalie Araya | 0 | 0 | 19 | 21 | 0 | 11 | 21 | MX1 |
| Wesley Gabrielsen | 0 | 0 | 13 | 21 | 0 | 11 | 21 | MX1 |
Montreal Lions’ players Anne-Sophie Courteau, Emma Li, Ernesto Fajardo, and Louis-Charles Amyot displayed strong performances. Ernesto Fajardo earned Player of the Match. Courteau and Amyot won their MX2 doubles, while Li and Fajardo secured MX1 doubles wins, giving the Lions a clean sweep.
| Player | POTM | Category Wins | Category PF | Category PA | Mixed Wins | Mixed PF | Mixed PA | Mixed Pair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anne-Sophie Courteau | 0 | 1 | 21 | 19 | 1 | 21 | 19 | MX2 |
| Emma Li | 0 | 1 | 21 | 19 | 1 | 21 | 11 | MX1 |
| Ernesto Fajardo | 1 | 1 | 21 | 13 | 1 | 21 | 11 | MX1 |
| Louis-Charles Amyot | 0 | 1 | 21 | 13 | 1 | 21 | 19 | MX2 |
Game Breakdown
Montreal Lions quickly took control of the match. Game scores were 21-11, 21-19, 21-19, and 21-13. Each Lion player scored consistently in both singles and doubles, leaving Detroit-Windsor Drive unable to mount a comeback.
What This Means
The Montreal Lions’ victory sets a strong tone for the season, showing their skill and teamwork early in the league. Detroit-Windsor Drive will look to regroup in upcoming matches. Fans can expect continued excitement as the CNPL season progresses with more high-level pickleball contests.
News in Brief: Montreal Lions Pickleball CNPL Victory
Montreal Lions defeated Detroit-Windsor Drive 4-0 at the 2025 CNPL Metropolitan Split in Oakville on September 6th, 2025. Ernesto Fajardo earned Player of the Match. The Lions won all four games, dominating both singles and mixed doubles. Detroit-Windsor Drive struggled to score, finishing the match without a single win.