Stacey Seals OT Win as Victoire Survive Boston's Late Push
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By Milica Zivic
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Summary:
- The Montréal Victoire beat the Boston Fleet 3-2 on Monday night after the latter scored twice in 39 seconds.
- Laura Stacey’s overtime heroics and crucial power play led to the victory.
- Boston’s playoff hopes are still alive but delayed, as goalie Klara Peslarova’s strong effort wasn’t enough to hold the lead.
The Montréal Victoire looked like they were in complete control Monday night at Place Bell. Up 2-0 late in the third on the power play, and with less than three minutes left, it seemed like a routine win was in the bag for Kori Cheverie’s side.
However, the Boston Fleet briefly spoiled the party, scoring twice in just 39 seconds, including a short-handed goal, which forced overtime.
Stacey Saves the Night
Head coach Cheverie said,
We’ve learned a lot of valuable lessons the past two games. The players who were on the ice for the two (late) goals, they know, they feel it.
Thankfully for the home crowd of 8,812, Laura Stacey was there to save the night. She buried the winner with just 42.7 seconds left in overtime, lifting Montréal to a dramatic 3-2 victory and locking up home-ice advantage for the first round of the PWHL playoffs.
Stacey from Mississauga, Ontario,
I think it was a collective ‘take a deep breath. A bunch of the girls were like ‘we got this, this is still our game.’ Of course it sucks getting scored on twice when you’re up 2-0 and you feel that win coming.
The player also argued that their “belief in each other” and the trust they experienced “all year long” helped them make the difference.
Montréal’s power play came up big twice. Jennifer Gardiner put them ahead early by cashing in a rebound on their third man-advantage of the night, scoring her fifth of the year.
Catherine Dubois added another in the third, tipping in a Maureen Murphy shot.
Stacey: “Good Teams Find a Way”
Boston’s late surge started with Hannah Brandt’s short-handed goal, which survived a lengthy review, followed closely by Hannah Bilka’s equalizer.
Boston goalie Klara Peslarova made 33 saves in her third appearance, but the Fleet will have to wait to clinch a playoff spot.
Cheverie said
There was a lot of ownership with and among the smaller groups that we talked to. When you have that buy in… it’s easy to refocus on what their plan is.
Laura Stacey added,
The way the team regrouped, it’s not an easy thing to do after being scored on twice going into OT. We pulled it together, we found a way. Good teams find a way.
Montréal’s depth players stepped up at a crucial time — something Cheverie and Stacey both emphasized will be key in the playoffs.
Up next, Montréal will head to New York, while Boston will host Minnesota with the latest odds found on selected Canadian Hockey bookmakers.
