The Toronto team of the Professional Women’s Hockey League defeated that of Montreal 2-1, Sunday at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, signing at the same time a 10e consecutive victory.
Both clubs had the opportunity to join Minnesota in first place in the circuit with a victory in regulation time. By virtue of this third defeat in a row, Montreal is therefore three points behind their rivals, in third position.
Hannah Miller and Kali Flanagan threaded the needle for Toronto, who currently have a game in hand over the other two top-3 teams. Kristen Campbell blocked 17 shots.
Kristin O’Neill responded for Montreal, which suffered a fourth loss in as many duels this season against the Toronto women. Ann-Renée Desbiens signed a performance of 24 saves.
Marie-Philip Poulin missed a second straight game due to a lower body injury. Claire Dalton returned to the lineup after three weeks of absence and collected an assist.
The Montrealers will visit Minnesota next Sunday at the Xcel Energy Center. The Toronto team will host Boston on Wednesday.
Toronto strikes first
Miller opened the scoring with Toronto’s first shot at 7:11 of the first period. She got the puck in the faceoff circle to Desbiens’ left and fired a shot into the upper right of the net.
Desbiens’ view seemed obscured by the presence of two Montreal players in the path of the puck. It was Miller’s sixth goal of the season. The Toronto women also scored the first goal for the 11e times in 17 meetings.
O’Neill then tied the game with a lively and precise shot entering the zone. It was a first goal in the LPHF for the 25-year-old attacker.
Returning from the first intermission, Flanagan quickly restored the lead to the Ontario club. She scored her third goal of the campaign when her shot from a very tight angle from the goal line deceived Desbiens’ vigilance.
Despite a numerical advantage and the withdrawal of Desbiens for a sixth skater at the end of the game, the Montrealers were unable to create a tie.
The two teams will cross swords one last time on April 20, at the Bell Centre.