Takeaways: Denver Sets A Record, Laura Stacey Hurt, Frost To First

The Montreal Victoire acquired their second regulation loss of the 2024-25 campaign against the Minnesota Frost in Denver, CO as part of the Takeover Tour. The game broke a United States attendance record for a professional women’s hockey game with 14, 018 fans present on Sunday.

Montreal’s record is now 4-2-1-2 for the season. With the win, Minnesota leapfrogged over Montreal to recapture first place in the standings. Here are three takeaways from the game on Jan. 12:

Laura Stacey Injury

While Laura Stacey crawling off the ice seemed like a potential equipment malfunction, the grimace that painted the veteran attacker’s face proved to be of serious concern. The team stated that Stacey missed the remainder of the game as a precaution, but if she misses upcoming games, or worse, lands on LTIR, her absence will create a hole in the top six forward lines for the Victoire.

Aside from the veteran leadership and mach speed, the Victoire will miss a dynamic forward who plays roughly 18 to 20 minutes per game. In a season where the added depth stemming from the offseason has been the key factor to a lot of Montreal’s success, how much can head coach Kori Cheverie rely on the roster to fill the void? Stacey has three goals and four points in her nine appearances of the 2024-25 season.

If the team does in fact lose Stacey for the foreseeable future, Cheverie will need to turn to forwards usually seen in the bottom six jump up to act in Stacey’s role. A player with experience such as Mikyla Grant-Mentis has shown she is capable of fitting into any scenario she is tasked with, but could it dampen the solid chemistry she has displayed on a line with Claire Dalton and Alexandra Labelle?

Much Needed Physicality

Montreal has added an extra edge to its physical presence on the ice in year two that was lacking in the inaugural season. Yes, returning players such as Catherine Dubois have a knack for throwing the body around, but an addition such as power forward out of Colgate University Dara Greig makes it so that more opposing players need to have their heads on a swivel.

The opening marker was credited to Dubois, but it was how her linemate Greig transitioned with the puck from the defensive zone, and created a chance in the slot area infront of Minnesota’s crease that was most impressive. Montreal is a team that works hard to battle in corners, forechecks with puckhound tenacity, and steer opposing attackers out wide instead of down the middle of the ice like matadors. If you couple all this with players who showcase blazing speed, they prove to be a tough team to contend with. They’ll need to roll up their sleeves if the injury to Stacey is significant.

Results on the Table

If Montreal were able to force overtime, they would be co-leaders alongside the Frost for first place in the PWHL. However, the team faltered in regulation, meaning that Minnesota stands alone as top dogs before the two square off again on Friday, Jan. 17.

It may be too early in the year to talk about positioning, but the few upcoming games will prove to be crucial for the Victoire. After taking on Minnesota again this Friday, the team will take on the third place Ottawa Charge in consecutive games on Jan. 19 and 29, with the former being held at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Que., as part of the Takeover Tour.

It could do the team some good staying in La Belle Province following this lengthy roadtrip where players are fitting only necessary belongings in carry-on baggage.

Montreal returns home to Place Bell where they face the Minnesota Frost yet again in Laval, Que. Puck drop on Jan. 17 is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.