Montreal Victoire nets Historic Playoff Win in Marathon PWHL Semifinal
MONTREAL — Catherine Dubois scored the decisive goal in a dramatic, nearly seven-period thriller as Montreal Victoire defeated ottawa 3-2 in Game 2 of their Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) semifinal series Sunday. The victory, witnessed by a crowd of 7,144 at Place bell, marks the first playoff win in Victoire team history and evens the best-of-five series at 1-1.
Dubois’ Overtime Goal Secures Victory
Dubois’ game-winner came after an exhausting six hours of play. She capitalized on a pass from Kristin O’Neill, firing a wrist shot from the left circle past Ottawa goaltender Gwyneth Philips. Dubois admitted to a blackout during the crucial play, only remembering her teammates’ celebratory rush.
A Test of Endurance: Mustard,Pickles,and Peanut Butter
The extended game demanded creative solutions to combat fatigue. Ottawa players were seen using mustard packets to prevent cramping, while both teams reportedly consumed pickles and pickle juice during intermissions. Montreal’s nutritionist scrambled to provide players with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and smoothies, as the game stretched far beyond anticipated meal times. Players noted having not eaten since 10 a.m.
Goaltending Stars Shine in High-Stakes matchup
ann-renee Desbiens stood tall in net for Montreal, registering an incredible 63 saves. Philips, despite the loss, made a valiant effort for Ottawa, stopping 53 shots. Desbiens emphasized the team’s resilience, stating, “If your team keeps doing the right things, like we did today, especially in overtime, eventually we’re going to get one.”
Ottawa Mounts Late Comeback, Forces Overtime
Ottawa demonstrated their determination by erasing a 2-0 deficit in the final 4:34 of regulation time.Brianne Jenner‘s late goal,with just 41.8 seconds remaining and the goaltender pulled, sent the game into overtime. aneta Tejralova also scored for Ottawa.
Key Plays and Turning Points
Montreal initially took the lead early in the first period with a goal from O’Neill. Laura stacey extended the lead in the second. Ottawa thought they had cut the lead, but a goal was waived off due to goaltender interference.
Looking Ahead to Game 3 in Ottawa
With the series tied, the teams now head to Ottawa for Game 3 on Tuesday night at TD Place.Ottawa head coach Carla MacLeod acknowledged the strength of their opponent, stating, ”we know we have an opponent that is a great team, a great opponent…we’ll be really, really excited to get back to Ottawa and go play in front of our fans and see what that brings for us.”
Q: Beyond the historic win,what specifically made this game stand out from othre PWHL playoff games?
Montreal Victoire nets Historic Playoff Win in Marathon PWHL Semifinal: Q&A
Dive deeper into montreal Victoire’s epic playoff victory with these frequently asked questions:
Q&A Section
Q: Why was this win so historic for Montreal Victoire?
A: This was the team’s first-ever playoff win in PWHL history,a major milestone!
Q: How long did the game last?
A: Nearly seven periods,making it an incredibly long and grueling contest!
Q: Who scored the game-winning goal?
A: Catherine Dubois,in overtime!
Q: What was the score,and what does this meen for the series?
A: Montreal defeated Ottawa 3-2,evening the best-of-five series at 1-1.
Q: What unusual strategies did the players use to combat fatigue?
A: Mustard packets for cramps, pickles, pickle juice for electrolytes, and even peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!
Q: How did the goalies perform?
A: Ann-Renee Desbiens (Montreal) had a stellar performance with 63 saves, while Gwyneth Philips (Ottawa) made 53 saves.
Q: What was Ottawa’s comeback like?
A: Ottawa erased a 2-0 deficit in the final minutes of regulation, including a goal with just 41.8 seconds left, forcing overtime!
Q: Where and when is the next game?
A: Game 3 is in Ottawa at TD Place on Tuesday night.
Trivia Time: The game’s length meant players went hours without a regular meal, highlighting the amazing physical demands of playoff hockey!
takeaway: Montreal’s hard-fought win sets the stage for a thrilling PWHL semifinal series. Get ready for Game 3!
