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Victoire @ Goldeneyes recap & highlights: Montreal wins fourth straight game

Posted on by Jared Book
Natálie Mlýnková scored in Montreal’s win. (Photo: PWHL)

After a road trip that saw them go from Halifax to Vancouver, the Montreal Victoire won their fourth straight game in a 4-2 win against the Vancouver Goldeneyes on Saturday afternoon.

Sandra Abstreiter made 27 saves in her first start with the Victoire for her first PWHL win. Her last PWHL game was in March 2024, and she played three games for Ottawa in the league’s first season. Last year, she was Montreal’s third goaltender and did not see any PWHL action. She has represented Germany internationally in this span. She was the Best Goaltender at the 2024 Worlds, and had two shutouts in exhibition games against Austria during the most recent PWHL international break.

“Even though this was her first game in front of the net, Sandy’s a huge part of our team,” said Montreal forward Dara Greig. “We see that every day in practice. She’s always staying all day and taking extra shots, so when she was getting the start tonight, I don’t think anyone had any type of hesitation. If anything, we had full confidence, and we’re all super happy to get the win for her.” 

Marie-Philip Poulin, who else, opened the scoring for Montreal after a faceoff win by Abby Roque went right to the Montreal captain. She fired a shot that went through Emerance Maschmeyer for her second goal of the season.

The Victoire doubled their lead early in the second. Hayley Scamurra’s shot hit Greig in the slot, who found herself alone in the slot and collected the puck before firing it past Maschmeyer. In her 34th game over two seasons, it was her first PWHL goal.

“I’ve really seen a version of Dara that committed to what she wanted to do in the offseason, and it has certainly translated for our group. I think this game specifically is a big step for her,” said Montreal head coach Kori Cheverie.

Just over the midway point of the second period, Vancouver cut the lead to 2-1 when Sophie Jaques scored a pretty remarkable goal. The bouncing puck landed at her side, and just as it stopped rolling, she fired a slap shot into the top corner past Abstreiter.

That goal, and the one-goal deficit, was quickly overshadowed a few minutes later. Montreal rookie forward Natálie Mlýnková picked off a pass in the neutral zone to give herself a breakaway where she faked one way before quickly pivoting to the other and shooting both herself and the puck into the gaping net. It was yet another highlight-reel goal for the Victoire this season, and it restored the two-goal advantage.

After two periods, Montreal was outshooting Vancouver 25-16, but the Goldeneyes came out strong in the third. Michela Cava scored 1:07 into the period, and the home team kept piling on the pressure. The Montreal defence and Abstreiter held the fort until the offence gave them a bit of insurance.

Shiann Darkangelo scored her first goal as a member of the Victoire after the loose puck bounced to her after a net-front scramble to make it 4-2 with under six minutes remaining.

The Goldeneyes pulled Maschmeyer for the extra attacker and appeared to close the gap, but Gabby Rosenthal’s goal was disallowed because of a distinct kicking motion with under three minutes to go. Vancouver outshot Montreal 13-5 in the third period.

The Victoire will finish their road trip on Tuesday night in Seattle as they take on the Torrent for the first time. Then, they will return home for their holiday break and prepare for their game at the Bell Centre on December 27.

Notes

  • Catherine Dubois missed her second straight game and is listed as day-to-day. Maya Labad, who scored in her first PWHL game, remained in the lineup.
  • Montreal handed Vancouver their first loss at home this season.

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