The Montreal Victoire secured their place in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) playoffs on Wednesday night, defeating the Vancouver Goldeneyes 3-0 at Place Bell. With this win, the Victoire achieved their third consecutive victory, highlighted by standout performances from Hayley Scamurra and Ann-Renée Desbiens.
Stellar Goaltending and Offensive Prowess
Ann-Renée Desbiens, the reigning goalie of the year, showcased her exceptional skills by making 18 saves, marking her sixth shutout of the season. With this commanding performance, Montreal improved their record to 13 wins, 4 losses, 2 overtime losses, and 5 shootout losses, placing them second in the league standings with six games left in the regular season.
Scamurra played a pivotal role, netting two goals, including a crucial empty-netter to seal the win late in the game. She opened the scoring at 8:28 in the third period, breaking a lengthy stalemate in a match characterised by missed power-play opportunities and disjointed offensive play. Laura Stacey and Skylar Irving each contributed with two assists, showcasing the depth of talent within the Victoire’s roster.
Vancouver’s Struggles on Offence
The Goldeneyes, in their inaugural PWHL season, faced challenges in converting their chances, managing just 25 shots on Desbiens. Emerance Maschmeyer held her ground in goal, stopping 22 shots, but the team struggled to find rhythm, particularly in the second period when scoring opportunities dwindled. With the loss, Vancouver’s record now stands at 7 wins, 1 overtime loss, 4 shootout losses, and 12 defeats.
Despite the defeat, the Goldeneyes demonstrated resilience, coming off a recent victory against Toronto. However, they were unable to replicate that success against a well-organised Victoire squad, who dominated the shot count and maintained pressure throughout the match.
Key Moments and Takeaways
In a match that saw both teams grapple with missed opportunities and penalties, the Victoire’s ability to capitalise when it mattered most proved decisive. Scamurra’s first goal set the tone, while her empty-netter and Maggie Flaherty’s late addition ensured a comfortable margin of victory.
On the injury front, the Victoire welcomed back Erin Ambrose, the league’s defender of the year, after a lengthy absence due to injury. Her return adds significant depth to Montreal’s defensive lineup. Conversely, Vancouver’s lineup featured Jenn Gardiner and Abby Boreen, both former Victoire players, who contributed valuable experience.
Looking Ahead
Montreal’s next challenge will come against the Ottawa Charge on Friday at the Canadian Tire Centre, while the Goldeneyes will travel to face the Minnesota Frost on Saturday. As the regular season approaches its conclusion, both teams will look to build momentum heading into the final stretch.
Why it Matters
The Victoire’s victory not only secures their playoff position but also highlights the team’s growth and resilience, especially after two consecutive semi-final exits in previous seasons. With a league-record point streak of 12 games (8-2-2-0), Montreal is positioned as a formidable contender as they aim for a championship title. For Vancouver, the focus will be on development and learning from experiences in their inaugural season as they continue to build their identity in the league.
