Three Takwaways from Montreal’s Third Win And How They Finally Beat Toronto

For the first time in the history of the PWHL, the Montreal Victoire defeated the Toronto Sceptres by a score of 4-3, thanks to the overtime heroics of forward Laura Stacey.

Here are three takeaways for the Victoire following the team’s third win of the campaign from Saturday, Dec. 21 at Coca Cola Coliseum:

Kirk’s first PWHL start

It’s admittedly strange including an opposing player in a takeaways piece, but with Raygan Kirk having appeared in her first PWHL start, the Victoire initiated her to the league by peppering a slew of shots her way and it’s worth addressing.

Kirk should have thanked her goalposts in the opening frame, as three Montreal shots found iron through the first 20 minutes. She did play wonderfully when called upon, thwarting 35 of her 39 shots faced. Toronto’s penalty kill received much attention heading into the game, finding success in roughly 54 percent of attempts headed into Satuday’s game, but it was thanks to the terrific effort from Kirk that shut down Montreal’s four power plays, including one five minute major.

However, Kirk did walk away with the loss, and much of that is due to a sound gameplan from Victoire head coach Kori Cheverie, and even better execution from the players. The past two weeks of Montreal practice saw particular focus on breaking out, transitioning with the puck, forechecking plus getting pucks in deep, and setting up in the offensive end. Headed into the third period, Cheverie told CBC sideline reporter and former Olympian Anastasia Bucsis that, despite being down one goal at the time, sticking to the gameplan and correcting the smaller mistakes woud lead to success, and the bench boss was correct.

Tango Boreen

Following the reserve campaign where she won the Walter Cup with Minnesota, there was much that Abby Boreen added to the Victoire depth chart. When the Victoire front office drafted Boreen 17th overall in the 2024 draft, they new what she could bring to the table: solid physicality, wicked hands, and an incredible work ethic.

The opening marker for Montreal, scored by Boreen, exemplifies these characteristics of the Wisconsin born forwards’ game. Able to maneuver around a world-class defender in Renata Fast before rifling the rubber by Kirk is an early goal of the year candidate. She was also credited later on with an assist on the game tying, and first career goal for former SDHL MVP Lina Ljungblom.

Boreen is one of many invaluable additions for the Victoire stemming from the offseason. Season one was a year in which much reliance was placed on the shoulders of Team Canada staples Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey, and Erin Ambrose. Year two has far more depth alleviating the workload thrust on the veterans.

With players such as Boreen and Ljungblom showcasing scoring abilities that will lift the Victoire to knew heights, and players such as Team USA standout defender Cayla Barnes able to quarterback a strong second powerplay unit and eat up crucial minutes on the blueline, the depth is proving to be a huge factor in the early success for Montreal. Knock on wood that injuries don’t creep in to hinder this momentum…

Stay competitive. Win in clutch time

With starting netminder Ann-Renée Desbiens under the weather, second string goaltender Elaine Chuli was called to the crease for Montreal. She got the win in an otherwise unlucky game at times—specifically, the third goal given up to Toronto’s Izzy Daniel, wherein Chuli lost her stick before Daniel scored five-hole—and it shows a sort of resilience that the Victoire possess, keeping the game close throughout.

Chuli steered away 19 of the 22 shots she faced, and it was the all around play from Montreal that mounted the comeback victory… or, if you will, victoire. Despite the two goals surrendered in the final minute of the first period, the composure from Chuli was an essential part to the comeback win.

Such reliance on depth from both the players and your goaltenders leads to clutch moments, and it is here that veteran star power is undeniably beneficial. The overtime winner by Stacey is a perfect end to an all-around hard fought game for Montreal.

In an early season where the team played four games over the span of three weeks, being able to manage the ebbs and flows of the calendar is a strongsuit and staying competitive against a Toronto team that returned to action three days prior is no small feat.

Montreal’s next matchup is against the Minnesota Frost, and will take place at 1 p.m. CST at the Xcel Energy Center.