Montreal Victoire (0-1-0-0, 2 pts) vs New York Sirens (0-1-0-0, 2 pts)
7:00 p.m. Eastern, Place Bell
How to Watch (Canada): TSN, RDS
How to Watch (New York area): MSGSN
How to Watch (USA/International): YouTube
After defeating Ottawa in a shootout in their home opener on Saturday night, Montreal is back at home on Wednesday night facing the New York Sirens. New York won their season opener in Minnesota, 4-3 in overtime.
While New York finished in last place last year, they were rewarded with the first pick and selected Sarah Fillier. Fillier, who has been with the Canadian national team for years, made an instant impact on a line with Alex Carpenter and Jessie Eldridge. Fillier had two primary assists on Carpenter’s two goals, including the game-winner in overtime. Eldridge and rookie Gabby Rosenthal scored New York’s other goals. Corinne Schroeder made 35 saves as New York was outshot 38-20.
Montreal is aware of the challenge that awaits. Players all week have talked about how good Fillier is and what she brings to the table. Many are Canadian national teammates but there are some international and NCAA opponents that have the experience of going head to head with her. Carpenter was an MVP nominee last year, and being able to add someone of Fillier’s ability can keep her as dangerous as ever.
Other than Montreal, no team has as many Quebec connections as New York. Their GM is Pascal Daoust, and they have Emmy Fecteau, Jade Downie-Landry, and Elizabeth Giguère in the lineup as well as several staff members from the Montreal area. Montreal’s Alexandra Labelle will be playing against her former team for the first time.
Montreal is expected to go with the same lineup they used on Saturday, but with a game on Friday they could give Elaine Chuli a start before the international break. After Friday’s game in Ottawa, the team doesn’t play again until December 21. Maureen Murphy didn’t practice on Tuesday, but the team wouldn’t indicate if she will miss Wednesday’s game. If she doesn’t play, Catherine Dubois might make her season debut if the team feels she is ready to go. They also have reserve player Gabrielle David, who can sign a 10-day contract if needed.
Projected Lineups:
Montreal
| #25 Lina Ljungblom | #29 Marie-Philip Poulin | #7 Laura Stacey |
|---|---|---|
| #12 Jennifer Gardiner | #43 Kristin O’Neill | #24 Abby Boreen |
| #18 Mikyla Grant-Mentis | #13 Alexandra Labelle | #21 Maureen Murphy |
| #17 Dara Greig | #26 Clair DeGeorge | #42 Claire Dalton |
| DEFENCE | GOALIES | |
|---|---|---|
| #9 Kati Tabin | #23 Erin Ambrose | #35 Ann-Renée Desbiens |
| #71 Anna Kjellbin | #3 Cayla Barnes | #20 Elaine Chuli |
| #2 Mariah Keopple | #44 Amanda Boulier | |
| #5 Anna Wilgren | ||
Scratches: #28 Catherine Dubois (F), #30 Sandra Abstreiter (G)
Reserve: #8 Gabrielle David (F), #4 Catherine Daoust (D), #51 Kelly-Ann Nadeau (D)
New York
(UPDATE: This lineup has been updated to reflect Jill Saulnier going on LTIR and Kayla Vespa being signed to a standard player agreement. The team announced this move Wednesday afternoon)
| #9 Jessie Eldridge | #25 Alex Carpenter | #10 Sarah Fillier |
|---|---|---|
| #18 Elizabeth Giguère | #11 Abby Roque | #40 Noora Tulus |
| #13 Elle Hartje | #27 Jade Downie-Landry | #12 Chloe Aurard |
| #29 Emmy Fecteau | #15 Gabby Rosenthal | #19 Paetyn Levis |
Extra Forward: #81 Kayla Vespa
| DEFENCE | GOALIES | |
|---|---|---|
| #17 Ella Shelton | #14 Jaime Bourbonnais | #30 Corinne Schroeder |
| #28 Micah Zandee-Hart | #8 Maja Nylen-Persson | #39 Abigail Levy |
| #6 Brooke Hobson | #20 Ally Simpson | |
Scratches: #82 Kayle Osborne (G), #4 Taylor Baker (D)
LTIR: #44 Jill Saulnier (F)
