It is only five games into the season, but the Montreal Victoire were facing their toughest test of the season so far, facing the first place Minnesota Frost on the road. They put together their best 60-minute effort of the season, handing the Frost their first regulation loss of the season in a 3-2 win at Xcel Energy Centre.
Marie-Philip Poulin scored the game-winning goal early in the second period, and Ann-Renée Desbiens made 22 saves in the win. It was Montreal’s first regulation win of the season, and they now have a three-game winning streak. The win moved them into sole possession of second place in the PWHL.
“We talked a lot about managing the puck at [both blue lines],” said Montreal head coach Kori Cheverie. “I thought we did a good job at that in the first and the second and probably took our foot off the pedal in the third.”
The Victoire held the Frost to only 14 shots through two periods, but were outshot 10-4 in the third period as Minnesota was pushing for the equalizer. They ended the game with a 25-24 edge in shots.
“It was tough… it was a close hockey game,” said Minnesota head coach Ken Klee. “They did a good job. They played hard, they played simple, got pucks out, flipped pucks out, and we had a hard time getting to the front. I think that’s partially us being a little off and them doing a good job.”
Montreal started the game off with a 5-0 edge in shots, helped by two early power plays with limited chances. As things often go in hockey, Minnesota took the lead less than two minutes after the second power play expired when a Claire Thompson shot hit off of Britta Curl-Salemme’s knee and past Ann-Renée Desbiens. It was Curl-Salemme’s third goal of the season, while Thompson earned her seventh assist. The third pick in the 2024 PWHL Draft leads the league in scoring.
The Victoire didn’t let that goal affect their game. They continued to push, and it was the fourth line that contributed to the game-tying goal. Mariah Keopple, who went to high school in Minnesota and had friends and family at the game, took a Claire Dalton pass and fired a point shot that beat Maddie Rooney.
Keopple a marqué son premier but en carrière 🤩
— Victoire de Montréal (@PWHL_Montreal) December 28, 2024
Keopple scores her first professional goal pic.twitter.com/wZ12P4tRs1
The goal was Keopple’s first PWHL goal after the defender played in all 29 games the team has played over the last two seasons.
“It was incredible. I had 60 family members here, they were scattered all around the rink,” Keopple said. “It was incredible to do it in front of them, and fellow Wisconsin people on my team. It’s nice to be playing with them again. It was really special.”
Keopple’s goal came with 4:25 remaining in the first period, and before the buzzer sounded, Montreal took the lead.
Alexandra Labelle broke in the zone with 40 seconds remaining. Her first shot was stopped by Rooney, but she picked up her own rebound and put it into the net. It was her first goal with the Victoire after signing with the team in the off-season. She had one goal last season with New York.
La Montréalaise marque son premier but dans l'uniforme de la Victoire 🙌
— Victoire de Montréal (@PWHL_Montreal) December 28, 2024
First one for Lab in the Victoire jersey pic.twitter.com/TjuBmBhoFD
Just over three minutes into the second period, the Frost struck back. They forced Desbiens to make a bunch of saves in a messy defensive sequence in front of the net, but the loose puck went to Brooke McQuigge to tie the game 2-2.
The Victoire responded just as quickly. After a turnover in the Montreal zone, Laura Stacey took the puck into the zone on a two-on-one. Stacey drew the defender to her, leaving Marie-Philip Poulin all alone in front. Stacey made the pass, and Poulin was able to move the puck to her backhand and put it past Rooney. It was Poulin’s second goal of the season and it gave Montreal a 3-2 lead.
Quand tu vois les deux, il est déjà trop tard
— Victoire de Montréal (@PWHL_Montreal) December 28, 2024
See the duo, fear the outcome pic.twitter.com/M54sGxrUMy
Montreal would continue to get chances. Maureen Murphy had a breakaway, but her attempt was saved by Rooney. Then, the Victoire appeared to make it 4-2 when a Keopple shot got through traffic, but after being ruled a goal on the ice, Minnesota challenged the play. It was ruled that Stacey made contact with Rooney in the crease and the call on the ice was overturned with 9:23 to go in the second period.
The Victoire had another opportunity to extend the lead late in the period when they had a third power play opportunity. Their best chance came when Abby Boreen made a pass to Lina Ljungblom, but Rooney made the save. Right after the penalty expired, Montreal took their only penalty of the game, but the Frost were unable to convert on the power play as well.
Minnesota pushed harder in the third period, but didn’t really test Desbiens. Minnesota’s best chance came with just over two minutes remaining when Kendall Coyne Schofield found Grace Zumwinkle at the back door, but her shot was saved by an outstretched Desbiens, and the Montreal defence cleared the rebound from danger. Montreal did have their chances to extend the lead legally as well, their best coming with just over four minutes remaining when a Cayla Barnes shot rang off the post to the right of Rooney.
The Victoire had two opportunities to seal the win with an empty net goal when Minnesota pulled Rooney, but were unable to convert. It didn’t come back to haunt them, however, as they continued to keep Minnesota to the outside and without a real threat before the final buzzer sounded.
For the first time this season, Montreal played with 13 forwards and six defenders with Dara Greig re-entering the lineup for Amanda Boulier. Boulier was placed on long-term injured reserve earlier this week, with Catherine Daoust being signed to a standard player contract to fill the roster spot. She did not take part in Saturday’s game.
It’s a quick turnaround for Montreal, as they head back home to face the Boston Fleet for the first time since their playoff series at Place Bell on Tuesday night. Puck drop is 7:00 p.m.
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