Three Takeaways: Montreal Victoire Hand Frost First Regulation Loss

The Montreal Victoire headed into the Xcel Energy Center on Saturday, and left after handing the Minnesota Frost its first regulation loss on the 2024-25 campaign. Montreal moves into second place in the overall standings with 15 points and a 4-1-0-0 record.

Here are three takeaways from the match:

A really solid defensive showing

All three lines shut down a tough Minnesota offense. The Frost managed 19 goals in the first five games prior to the Montreal matchup, yet Saturday’s contest saw them held to just two tallies on the day.

Victoire head coach Kori Cheverie paired out her defensive duos effectively, allowing for a very even ice time for the blueliners. Players saw their time on ice stretch between 14 and 17 minutes, with the exception of Cayla Barnes and Erin Ambrose playing 21 and 19 respectively because of the power play units they both quarterback.

Holding Minnesota to just 24 shots on the day is worth celebrating, but so is the first career PWHL goal for Montreal’s Mariah Keopple. Montreal seemingly strategized putting bodies in front of Frost netminder Maddie Rooney, and Keopple’s point shot found twine as a result. If it hadn’t been for the waved off goal by Laura Stacey, Keopple would have had two points on the day. Regardless, she meritted first star honours.

All in all, the ability to stifle transition rushes, block shots, and make it easier on the goaltender are what led to Montreal’s win against the Frost.

Ann-Renée Desbiens back in action

It’s been three weeks since Victoire starting goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens took to the crease for her team.

Yes, making 22 saves on 24 shots in a win is not a newsworthy headline compared to the performances Victoire fans are accustomed to witnessing when the 2017 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award winner gets the nod. Yet, Desbiens did not look rusty at all on Saturday, and it was in the third period where she really shined.

Leading by just one goal in the third period, Desbiens stopped all ten shots faced in the final frame, including one monstrous pad save moments before the Frost sent out an extra attacker. Consistent goaltending and staunch defense wins games, and eventually championships according to the old adage. Therefore, Desbiens’ performance is a statement to just how beneficial it is having her as the number one and Elaine Chuli as a stud backup.

Following the win, Desbiens now moves to 2-1-0-0 on the season, with a 2.61 goals against average and a .912 save percentage.

Power play woes

It’s unfortunately time to forget about the positive aspects and address the thorn in the Victoire’s side: the power play. Montreal has scored just two power play goals on the year, sitting at 9.52 percent (2/21). Even worse, the team has not scored a power play goal on the road in its 11 chances.

If the Victoire’s record was reverse and they found themselves at the bottom of the table, then the power play would be an even more apparent blemish. Currently, it’s not a factor of the game to harp on, nor even hit the panic button over, but it is a detail that needs correction. It’s also nothing new to see the Victoire unsuccessful on the supériorité numérique, as the team had trouble in the inaugural season as well. Being able to turn to the special teams unit down the stretch, or down a goal, is the difference between winning and losing.

If there is a silver lining in all this, it’s that sticking to a gameplan has worked wonders for the Victoire this season, and led to wins. Whether or not the strategy works for the power play is a different story. With the aforementioned Barnes and Ambrose controlling the point, and the powerhouses of Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey, Kristin O’Neill and so forth comprising the power play units, it’s up to coach Cheverie as to whether or not to scrap the plan and start taking risks.

The Victoire will return home to Place Bell on Monday, Dec. 30 wherein the team will face the Boston Fleet at 7 p.m. EST.