Montreal Victoire Suffers Heartbreaking Overtime Defeat After Blowing Three-Goal Lead
In a stunning reversal of fortune, the Montreal Victoire saw their six-game winning streak come to a dramatic end on Sunday afternoon, falling 4-3 in overtime to the Boston Fleet at Place Bell in Laval. The Victoire had dominated early, building a commanding 3-0 lead, only to watch it evaporate in the third period before Boston's Ella Huber delivered the final blow in the extra frame.
A Promising Start Turns Sour
The game began auspiciously for the home team. Captain Marie-Philip Poulin opened the scoring in the first period, followed shortly by a goal from defender Kati Tabin. However, the early celebration was tempered when Poulin left the ice with an apparent injury and did not return for the remainder of the contest. This was a significant blow, as Poulin had recently recovered from a knee injury sustained last month during the Milano Cortina Olympics while playing for Canada against Czechia.
Despite losing their captain, Montreal extended their lead in the second period when Abby Roque found the back of the net, making it 3-0. The Victoire appeared to be in complete control, outshooting Boston 30-26 over the course of the game.
The Third Period Collapse
The narrative shifted dramatically in the final period of regulation. The Boston Fleet, refusing to go quietly, mounted a furious comeback. Loren Gabel, Megan Keller, and Susanna Tapani each scored for Boston, systematically erasing Montreal's advantage and tying the game at 3-3, forcing overtime.
In the extra period, the momentum fully belonged to Boston. Ella Huber capitalized on the shift, scoring the decisive goal that sealed a 4-3 victory for the Fleet and snapped Montreal's impressive six-game run of victories.
Standings Implications and Looking Ahead
This result has immediate consequences in the PWHL standings. With the win, the Boston Fleet now sits atop the league with 39 points. The Montreal Victoire, despite the painful loss, remains in a strong position in second place with 36 points.
The Victoire will have little time to dwell on this defeat. They are scheduled to return to action this Thursday for another home game, where they will face the Seattle Torrent at Place Bell. The team will be looking to regroup quickly and restart a winning streak, hoping to have key players like Poulin back in the lineup.
This game serves as a stark reminder of the competitive nature of the PWHL, where no lead is safe and momentum can shift in an instant. For the Montreal Victoire, it was a costly lesson in closing out games.
