Defeated 3-2 in a shootout by the New York team on Wednesday, the Montreal team nevertheless joined Minnesota in first place in the general ranking of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (LPHF).
Abby Roque and Alex Carpenter threaded the needle in the shootout.
The Montrealers, who won the first two duels between the two clubs this season, have 21 points with a record of 7-2-3. They were limited to two goals or less in a sixth consecutive game.
Laura Stacey and Maureen Murphy scored in the loss, allowing Montreal to erase a two-goal deficit. Tereza Vanisova had two assists.
“You have to play the whole match,” insisted Kori Cheverie. We were in a situation where we had to start the match strong. We haven’t done it in the last two games, although we continue to get points. If we play a full 60 minutes, we will be in a good position. »
“It’s difficult to play with two goals behind since we use the players differently to get a spark. It’s difficult for them. The further we fall behind, the more we abuse our resources in an attempt to create equality. »
Carpenter scored a double for the other clan. With eight goals and 14 points, she remains at the top of the circuit scorers. Roque was complicit in his two nets.
Quebecer Ann-Renée Desbiens blocked 20 pucks for Montreal. At the other end of the ice, Abigail Levy made 21 saves.
The Cheverie troupe will return to action on Saturday when they host Ottawa at the Verdun Auditorium. Montreal has won both matches between the two clubs since the start of the season.
A bad start
The Montrealers put themselves in a bad position from the first moments of the game when Murphy received a penalty for a double check after only 1:32 of play.
Carpenter took the opportunity to score his seventh goal of the season into the upper left corner of the net.
The American finished the first twenty as she started it by doubling the lead of the local favorites, this time outnumbered.
Marie-Philip Poulin tried to reach Erin Ambrose, but the latter lost her balance. Roque grabbed the puck and escaped, but Desbiens made the save. Roque collected his own putback, then completed a pass to Carpenter at the mouth of the net. She didn’t miss her chance.
This goal put an end to the Montreal team’s first power play, as stipulated in the circuit regulations.
Stacey closed the gap at 16:04 of the second period on the power play. She hit a perfect shot into the upper left corner of the net while Catherine Dubois blocked Levy’s view. Dubois collected his first assist in the sequence.
It was only Montreal’s third power-play goal this season, but a second in as many games. The Quebec team has thus extricated itself from last place in power play this season, now boasting a percentage of 7.7% in this facet of the game.
New York’s power play is working at full capacity with a goal on Tuesday and a percentage of 22.6% this season.
Stacey thought she had tied the game at 7:29 of the final period, once again with an extra player. Well placed in front of Levy’s cage, she deflected Poulin’s shot with her leg. After video review, however, the goal was disallowed due to slight contact with the goalkeeper.
“I don’t think he had any contact, but I’m not 100 sure,” said Stacey, who flashed a big smile as soon as the disallowed goal was mentioned. Honestly, it happens sometimes, hockey is not an easy sport. Sometimes you’re on the right side, sometimes you’re not. »
“We were told there was accidental contact,” Cheverie said.
Regardless, Murphy brought the two teams back to level playing field exactly 60 seconds later with another goal that required video review.
The puck crossed the red line as the net came loose. This time, the decision went in favor of the visitors. It was Maureen’s second goal in this new league.
“I was happy with our resilience and our comeback after the disallowed goal. I believe these moments are very important to build on as we approach the playoffs. »