LAVAL, Quebec — In a gripping encounter on Tuesday night, Marie-Philip Poulin emerged as the hero as she netted the decisive shot in the shootout, leading the Montreal Victoire to a 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Frost. This win helped Montreal solidify their dominant position atop the PWHL standings, establishing a nine-point gap ahead of the second-place Toronto Sceptres, with only 10 games left in the season.
The game reached its climax when Poulin, facing Maddie Rooney in the shootout, executed a precise snapshot that found the back of the net, delighting a lively home audience of 8,923 fans. Complementing Poulin’s efforts, Ann-Renée Desbiens delivered an outstanding performance by thwarting all five of Minnesota’s shootout attempts. Her crucial stop against Minnesota defender Claire Thompson sealed the nail-biting victory.
Desbiens showcased remarkable skill throughout the match, achieving a season-high 40 saves, notably making four critical saves in the overtime period. Montreal’s offensive drive was initially sparked by Laura Stacey, who notched her eighth goal of the season just 17 seconds into the second period, continuing her hot streak by scoring in four consecutive games, thus setting a new team benchmark.
Minnesota answered with a power play goal courtesy of Taylor Heise, who unleashed a powerful shot past Desbiens with 3:42 remaining in the second period. This equalizer came amid a tumultuous period that saw Montreal incur three penalties within a span of just over five minutes.
Game Insights:
Frost: Entering the game fresh after a mandated break, the Minnesota Frost put on a strong showing against the leading team of the league. Their performance indicated resilience and competitive spirit.
Victoire: Goaltender Desbiens sustained her commendable form, now boasting a streak of 13 games where she has allowed two goals or less, contributing significantly to the team’s defensive prowess.
Turning Point:
Desbiens proved crucial with her 11 vital saves in the final period, including two critical stops in the final minute, propelling the game into overtime where Montreal finally clinched the win.
Noteworthy Stat:
The match also marked a significant milestone for Montreal defender Dominika Lásková, who returned to the ice for the first time in 402 days following a lower-body injury that halted her season on January 27, 2024.
Looking Ahead:
The Minnesota Frost will now prepare to host the Ottawa Charge on Friday in Raleigh, N.C. Meanwhile, the Montreal Victoire are set to face off against the Toronto Sceptres on Thursday, in what promises to be another captivating contest in the PWHL.
