In a commanding performance on Wednesday night, the Montreal Victoire clinched a playoff berth in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) after defeating the Vancouver Goldeneyes 3-0 at Place Bell. Hayley Scamurra shone brightly, scoring twice, while Ann-Renée Desbiens showcased her elite skills with 18 saves, marking her sixth shutout of the season. This victory not only solidified Montreal’s position in the postseason but also highlighted their current form, winning three consecutive matches.
Strong Defensive Play
Desbiens, last season’s goalie of the year, was instrumental in maintaining the shutout against Vancouver (7-1-4-12), which struggled to generate offensive pressure throughout the game. Despite the Goldeneyes coming off a narrow 3-2 victory over Toronto just days prior, they found themselves stifled by Montreal’s strong defensive strategy. Emerance Maschmeyer, in goal for Vancouver, managed to fend off 25 shots but faced a barrage of attempts that left the team reeling.
The Victoire (13-4-2-5) dominated the first period, outshooting the Goldeneyes 9-4, yet they failed to convert their chances into goals during the opening frame. Both teams dealt with a series of missed power-play opportunities, which contributed to a disjointed flow in the game.
Key Contributions
Scamurra broke the deadlock 8:28 into the final period, scoring with a powerful one-timer set up by Laura Stacey, who notched two assists on the night. Despite the lack of scoring in the earlier periods, the goal injected energy into the game, with Scamurra later sealing the victory with an empty-net goal, assisted by Maggie Flaherty, who also added an empty-netter in the final seconds.
Montreal’s victory not only highlighted their attacking prowess but also showcased the return of Erin Ambrose, the PWHL’s defender of the year. After an eight-game absence due to a lower-body injury suffered during the Olympic gold-medal match against the United States, Ambrose played a limited role but is expected to ramp up her involvement as the playoffs approach. Meanwhile, captain Marie-Philip Poulin remains sidelined on long-term injured reserve.
Looking Ahead
As the Victoire prepare for their next challenge against the Ottawa Charge on Friday, they are riding high on confidence, currently sitting second in the league standings. With several matches left in the regular season, Montreal aims to build on their momentum and secure a favourable position heading into the playoffs. For the Goldeneyes, however, the focus remains on developing cohesion and performance in their inaugural season as they face the Minnesota Frost on Saturday.
Why it Matters
Montreal’s victory not only secures their place in the playoffs but also signals their readiness to contend for the championship after two consecutive semi-final exits. With a record point streak of 12 games (8-2-2-0), the Victoire are proving to be formidable opponents. For the Goldeneyes, the experience gained in their inaugural season, particularly against seasoned teams like Montreal, will be crucial for their future development in the league, setting the stage for what is hoped to be a more competitive campaign next year.
