The Montreal team secured its place in the playoffs by winning 5-2 against the New York team on Wednesday evening in Verdun. A great way to end the regular season at home.
The Montrealers’ last two meetings, which will take place in Ottawa and Boston, will be used to determine their final ranking and, ultimately, the team they will face in the first round of the playoffs. Remember that the team that finishes in first place, which is always possible for Kori Cheverie’s team, will choose which of the team in third or fourth place it will face.
View the meeting summary
The first period did not suggest this result. It must be said that the Montreal squad faced desperate New Yorkers, who absolutely had to win to stay in the playoff race. The visitors quickly showed that they were there to play.
PHOTO CHRISTINNE MUSCHI, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Ann-Renée Desbiens (35) blocks a shot from Alex Carpenter (25)
In the first period alone, Ann-Renée Desbiens stood out with 14 saves. Three times rather than one, she frustrated Alex Carpenter, the opponent’s best attacker. ” Goods ! Goods ! “, chanted the supporters by way of thanks.
Montreal took the lead in the first period, but it wasn’t exactly what you’d call a great play. After a neutral zone faceoff, Catherine Daoust, who had yet to score this season , cleared the puck in the opposing zone. Goalkeeper Corinne Schroeder experienced every goalkeeper’s nightmare; the puck made a strange jump on the boards rather than continuing its trajectory to behind the goal. You can guess what happens next.
If Montreal generally has difficulty in the second period, it was quite the opposite on Wednesday. This is where everything unlocked. The Canadian quartet composed of Kristin O’Neill, Laura Stacey, Marie-Philip Poulin and Erin Ambrose continued their power play devastation that began upon their return from the World Championship. O’Neill and Stacey both scored.
Let’s say that the recent successes on the power play promise for the playoffs.
Montreal’s other goal was the work of Catherine Dubois, who had just come out of the penalty box. She redeemed herself well by jumping on a return from Amanda Boulier.
New York tried everything for everything several times in the third period, like when Mariah Keopple was chased with 15 minutes left on the clock; the visitors decided to withdraw their goalkeeper to play 6 against 4, without success. Alexandra Labelle found the back of the net with 4 minutes to play, but Montreal defended well thereafter to avoid a comeback.
Mélodie Daoust, who competed in her 4e match of the season, scored in an empty net at the end of the match.