Maja Nylén Persson scored a power play goal in overtime to lead the New York Sirens to a 3-2 win over the Montreal Victoire on Wednesday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
The win snapped New York’s league-record nine-game losing streak, and provided them with a glimmer of hope in their race for a playoff spot.
The point earned by Montreal extended their lead atop the standings to eight points over Toronto and both teams have seven games remaining.
The Sirens opened the scoring on a weird bounce. Abby Roque tipped the Jaime Bourbonnais shot in front of the net. The puck then ricocheted off of Erin Ambrose at the side of the net and past Ann-Renée Desbiens. It was the only goal of the first period in which New York outshot Montreal 11-5.
They also got a penalty shot when it was ruled that Montreal’s Kristin O’Neill covered the puck in the crease. Despite a review, replays showed she covered the puck outside of the crease, but the call on the ice stood. Elizabeth Giguère’s attempt was stopped by Desbiens to keep the score at 1-0.
The second period started off much better for the Victoire. Shortly after killing a penalty that started the period, Lina Ljungblom broke in and fired a shot. She fought for the rebound and put it towards the net where Maureen Murphy was able to poke the puck into the open cage as Corinne Schroeder was out of position.
Toujours prêtes pour les rebonds 🫡
— Victoire de Montréal (@PWHL_Montreal) March 13, 2025
Always ready for rebounds pic.twitter.com/jSNfDspx4e
The goal was scored at even strength just 1:30 into the middle frame. It was Murphy’s third goal of the season. The Victoire outshot the Sirens 16-4 in the period, but it was New York that re-took the lead.
Another scramble in front saw the puck go to Sarah Fillier at the side of the net, who put the backhand into the net to give New York a 2-1 lead. It was Fillier’s ninth goal of the season and tied the rookie with Toronto’s Hannah Miller for the league scoring lead.
It was a physical affair with many hits and skirmishes after whistles, but came to a head early in the third period. Fillier had dumped the puck in and crosschecked Erin Ambrose before returning to the bench. Fillier was called for a check to the head and given a major penalty and game misconduct.
It allowed the Montreal power play to get a chance to tie the game, and they did. Kati Tabin’s one-timer beat Schroeder with traffic in front to tie the game at 2-2.
The goal was Tabin’s fourth of the season, and Montreal’s first power play goal since February 22, a span of six games.
“I feel like we’ve just been focusing on getting pucks through and getting pucks to the net,” Tabin said. “Honestly, as simple as that, getting bodies in front, taking away the goalie’s eyes. They’re so talented in our league, so having someone like (Catherine) Dubois to take away the goalie’s eyes is a huge key to our power play success.”
O’Neill was called for slashing 1:10 into overtime, giving New York the advantage they capitalized on to win the game. Nylén Persson took a shot from the right circle that went off the post and in to end the game.
Montreal now has some time off before heading back on the road to face Boston on Tuesday night. It is the final game of their four straight games on the road.
“Every week is a new challenge. Every team is a new challenge,” said Montreal head coach Kori Cheverie. “We’re on the road quite a bit this month, so it’s important that we find a way when we’re not in our building, which arguably has the loudest fans in the league. We still have to find a way to get that energy on our bench and to play the team across the rink to the best of our ability.”
Notes
- The PWHL Trade Deadline is Thursday at 2:00 p.m. and Montreal is rumoured to be looking for some reinforcements for their forward group. Whether they find a trade partner is yet to be determined.
- Wednesday was the first game that saw Desbiens allow more than two goals since December 4, against New York, ending a streak of 15 games and 14 starts.
- Laura Stacey saw her six-game point streak end as it was a rare quiet night for the team’s top line.
Standings
| TEAM | GP | GR | RW | OW | SW | OL | RL | PTS | GF | GA | MAX PTS | MAGIC | TRAGIC | #1 | HOME |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTL | 23 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 44 | 62 | 53 | 65 | 10 | 31 | 16 | 14 |
| TOR | 23 | 7 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 36 | 60 | 58 | 57 | 18 | 23 | 24 | 22 |
| BOS | 22 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 35 | 58 | 51 | 59 | 19 | 25 | 25 | 23 |
| MIN | 24 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 35 | 67 | 63 | 53 | 19 | 19 | 25 | 23 |
| OTT | 22 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 30 | 50 | 60 | 54 | 24 | 20 | 30 | 28 |
| NY | 22 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 24 | 52 | 64 | 48 | 30 | 14 | 36 | 34 |
Full Highlights
