Desbiens leads Montreal to 2-1 win over Ottawa in entrance of report crowd

Article content material

Ann-Renée Desbiens made 43 saves as Montreal held on to first place with a 2-1 extra time win over Ottawa in entrance of a record-breaking crowd on Saturday.

The 8,646 in attendance at Place Bell set a brand new mark for an expert ladies’s hockey sport in Canada.

Article content material

“It’s unbelievable,” stated Montreal head coach Kori Cheverie in regards to the ambiance that comes with taking part in at house. “I can’t imagine how loud the gang is — you possibly can’t even discuss to the gamers at instances.

Article content material

“We knew what Ottawa was going to deliver when it comes to grit and work ethic and depth, however that is our home and we now have one of the best followers on this planet. It by no means disappoints.”

Ahead Maureen Murphy scored the game-winning aim at 3:30 of the additional interval for her first of the Skilled Girls’s Hockey League season. Laura Stacey additionally scored for Montreal (3-2-2-1).

When requested the way it felt to attain for the primary time in her professional profession, Murphy elected to deflect consideration to teammate Desbiens’s stellar efficiency.

“I believe (Desbiens) actually solidified the sport for us,” Murphy stated. “I imply, that aim doesn’t occur except she makes 40-plus unreal saves.”

One of many high gamers out of the NCAA, Murphy was among the many final to signal a cope with Montreal, however she’s been a rising star since she made her debut and now sits in a four-way tie for many factors within the league.

On the primary line alongside Murphy and captain Marie-Philip Poulin was reserve participant Catherine Dubois. As Tereza Vanišová remained sidelined with an damage, Dubois signed her second 10-day contract earlier within the day.

Dubois performed a powerful sport and slot in effectively along with her linemates, regardless of incomes two two-minute minors again to again late within the first.

Article content material

Article content material

“She creates numerous house for folks and he or she’s wanting to go get pucks within the nook,” stated Cheverie. “She’s prepared to face netfront for the shooters of Poulin and Murphy and we’re additionally looking for some chemistry with all of our strains as effectively. It made sense for us as a staff.”

One factor that stood out on either side Saturday was goaltending, with Desbiens staying true to her nickname “the Wall.”

Ottawa netminder Emerance Maschmeyer made 22 saves — and turned away a penalty shot from Stacey — to carry Montreal to only one aim in regulation.

Hayley Scamurra scored the lone aim for Ottawa (2-0-3-1), which got here into the rematch on a quest for revenge after Montreal received 3-2 in extra time in each groups’ inaugural PWHL sport at TD Place on Jan. 2.

Stacey opened the scoring with a wraparound assisted by defender Erin Ambrose at 13:37 of the primary interval.

Whereas pictures on aim had been tight heading into the second, it didn’t take lengthy for Ottawa to drag forward. Regardless of a scoreless interval, the visiting staff’s offence had double the pictures by the tip of the second.

Cheverie says her staff might want to work on refining stick particulars to keep away from this transferring ahead.

Article content material

“They’re No. 1. It’s stick on puck, as an alternative of containing,” she stated. “We’ve acquired nice gamers monitoring again; we’ve acquired folks defending the slot. A whole lot of instances when issues are breaking down, it has to do with particular person consideration to element and never essentially the construction in place. Stick particulars is the place numerous the main target will probably be.”

Ottawa’s momentum continued into the third as Scamurra tied issues up at 6:10 off assists from Brianne Jenner and Savannah Harmon.

Murphy later buried her winner to safe Montreal’s place atop the standings.

Regardless of the loss, Ottawa head coach Carla MacLeod had solely constructive issues to say about her staff’s efficiency.

“I believed we had a reasonably good sport pieced collectively this afternoon,” she stated. “You’re at all times attempting to develop, and I believed that the areas we mentioned previous to the sport and kind of labored on the final couple weeks confirmed immediately.”

Eight gamers who performed Saturday will characterize the league within the PWHL’s 3-on-3 Showcase throughout NHL All-Star Weekend on Feb. 1 at Toronto’s Scotiabank Area.

Montreal’s Desbiens and Poulin be a part of Ottawa’s Harmon on Crew King. Montreal’s Ambrose and Stacey staff up with Ottawa’s Emily Clark, Jenner and Maschmeyer on Crew Kloss.

Article content material

Article content material