Les Canadiennes extinguish the Inferno to secure split

Les Canadiennes rebounded from an overtime loss on Saturday with a 4-1 against the Calgary Inferno at the Dollard-des-Ormeaux Civic Centre on Sunday.

From the moment the puck dropped in the first period Montreal played with a high degree of offensive intensity. The early energy paid off 2:46 in, when Ann-Sophie Bettez tucked the game’s first goal past Inferno netminder Emerance Maschmeyer. Les Canadiennes maintained their intensity but Maschmeyer was able to make a number of impressive saves.

The Inferno’s aggressive physical play along the boards led to Iya Gavrilova tying it up as the period approached the midway point. Sarah Davis made a beautiful cross-ice feed to Gavrilova, who one-timed a slap shot into the back of the net.

Montreal's goaltender, Catherine Herron maintained her composure and made a series of impressive saves shortly after.

Herron was starting her third straight game as Charline Labonté remained out with what the team is saying is a short-term upper body injury.

Montreal’s Emmanuelle Blais had a good scoring chance with a wraparound shot, however the score remained tied.

With 33 seconds remaining in the period, a passing play between Marie-Philip Poulin and Caroline Ouellette found the stick of Bettez, the third player on the line, and then the back of the net. Montreal ended the first period with a 2-1 lead.

Calgary began the second with increased energy and Herron was forced to make multiple saves, including one on a good scoring chance from Bailey Bram.

The high intensity of both teams lead to an altercation between Montreal’s Carly Hill and Calgary's Bram at the side of the Canadiennes net. Bram threw a punch and was then taken down by Hill, both were sent to the box for roughing.

Calgary managed to get the puck past Herron midway through the period, but it was deemed a no goal as the Inferno player batted the puck in with her glove.

During the second period Les Canadiennes and Calgary took three penalties each. Montreal's power play provided scoring opportunities and their penalty kill also showed signs of offensive promise, however the score remained unchanged. The first period’s physicality was maintained by both teams throughout the second period. Bettez was comfortable with the level of physicality.

“That’s what it comes down to,” she said. “It’s clean but it’s physical”.

The third period opened with some nifty passing by Poulin and Ouellette and another solid scoring chance for Bettez, who seemed to be everywhere on the ice. Calgary responded with Rebecca Johnston slipping past Montreal’s defence and getting a great scoring opportunity. The attempt was foiled due to an excellent save by Herron, who had an incredible game.

Montreal took the first of their three penalties in the third, when Cassandra Poudrier was called for interference. Calgary generated offensive opportunities but were unable to get anything past Herron.

Midway though the period, Calgary’s Jessica Campbell went into the boards hard. She was assisted off the ice and Brittany Fouracres was sent to the box for hooking. Montreal was able to kill the penalty, and maintain their lead.

Montreal got their own opportunity on the power play when Hayleigh Cudmore was called for a body check against Bettez. Les Canadiennes were able to capitalize on the power play when Poudrier shot it top shelf, resulting in their third goal of the night.

When there were less than two minutes remaining Calgary pulled their goalie for the extra attacker, however Montreal was able to gain possession and Poulin tossed the puck down ice and scored on the empty net.

Montreal spent the final seconds of the game on the penalty kill, however they did not allow a goal. Les Canadiennes won 4-1.

While both teams goalies making 23 saves it seamed that after the first period, the Inferno just could not not solve Catherine Herron. Herron showed no signs of having let the previous nights loss affect her

“Today we came out the way that we did yesterday and I think we got a good result,” she said.

Notes

• Montreal had two lineup changes from Saturday’s game. Julie Chu and Emilie Bocchia did not play and were replaced by Sophie Brault and Alyssa Sherrard.
• Emerance Maschmeyer is the only Calgary goaltender to lose a game this year. She has lost three games, two to Montreal. She has allowed only four goals in those two losses.
• Montreal is now only two points behind Calgary for first place. Both teams have six games remaining, and the two teams end the regular season against each other in Calgary for two games.