Victory’s recent mini-camp in Montreal featured two matches, yielding a 3-1 loss to Boston and a 6-3 win against Ottawa. Head coach Kori Cheverie is focused on finalizing the roster ahead of the Wednesday deadline. Key players like captain Marie-Philip Poulin and Mikyla Grant-Mentis made significant contributions, while newcomers are adapting well. Injury management remains crucial as the team prepares for the regular season, with Ann-Renée Desbiens leading in goal.
Victory’s Preparatory Games: Key Takeaways
The recent mini-camp in Montreal featured two competitive matches that showcased the Victory’s strengths and areas for improvement. Following a 3-1 loss to the Boston Fleet on Wednesday and a 6-3 victory over the Ottawa Charge on Friday, head coach Kori Cheverie and her team are now focused on finalizing their roster. With only two practice sessions scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, they need to prepare for the critical deadline of submitting their 23-player roster and three reserves by Wednesday.
Player Highlights and Insights
Despite the limited number of games, the coaching staff is making the most of their time to assess the team’s potential. Cheverie acknowledged, “Two games are not enough, but we make do with what we have.” Ottawa’s head coach, Carla MacLeod, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of practice for evaluating players vying for a spot on the final roster.
Marie-Philip Poulin, the team’s captain, demonstrated her leadership skills by playing intensely throughout both matches. Although she didn’t score against Boston, she assisted Maureen Murphy’s power-play goal against Ottawa and showcased her skill in an improvised shootout. Her chemistry with newcomer Lina Ljungblom is promising. “Pou is an underrated passer, and it will be a good combination when they connect,” Cheverie noted.
Mikyla Grant-Mentis stepped up impressively, especially against Ottawa, where she scored two goals, one of which was an unconventional helmet goal. “I feel like this is where I belong,” she stated, highlighting her growing confidence and impact on the ice. Cheverie praised her ability to change the game and contribute defensively.
Alexandra Labelle also made a mark, forming a dynamic partnership with Murphy. Together, they took 19 shots across both games, with Labelle scoring against Ottawa. Poulin described her as having “heart” and being “here for the right reasons.” Having impressed at the Montreal camp after a season in New York, Labelle is a strong contender for a contract.
Offensive contributions from Abigail Boreen, who won the Walter Cup with Minnesota, were noticeable, although she must capitalize on scoring opportunities. Meanwhile, Ljungblom and Gardiner, newcomers from Sweden and the NCAA, are adapting well to the team dynamics. On the defensive side, Anna Kjellbin and Anna Wilgren have shown promise with minimal mistakes.
For the Quebec players, Gabrielle David shone with a stellar performance on Friday, while defender Kelly-Ann Nadeau faced some challenges despite her offensive skills. Catherine Daoust has remained consistent but is yet to stand out. These three players are in competition for the remaining contracts that head coach Danièle Sauvageau has to offer.
In terms of injuries, the Victory management hopes to avoid last season’s issues, where players missed a total of 65 games. The return of defender Amanda Boulier is a positive sign, although she showed signs of rust. Other key players, including Cayla Barnes and Kennedy Marchment, missed the mini-camp, and their availability for the regular season will influence the team’s final decisions on roster spots.
In goal, Ann-Renée Desbiens will lead the defense, supported by Elaine Chuli. Sandra Abstreiter and Marlène Boissonnault also received playing time, vying for the role of third-string goalie. Quebecer Tricia Deguire, however, did not see any action throughout the mini-camp.