Marie-Philip Poulin set a new PWHL record, scoring 11 seconds into the game as the Montreal Victoire defeated the New York Sirens 3-2 in their regular season finale on Saturday afternoon at the Prudential Center.
Catherine Dubois scored in her third straight game at the 4:04 mark, and before the first period was finished, it was official that Montreal would finish first in the league. Toronto needed a win in regulation, and as soon as the Toronto-Ottawa game went to overtime, Montreal could not be caught. They ended up opening up a five-point lead atop the standings.
Poulin scored her second of the game midway through the second period to make it 3-0.
Sarah Fillier and Alex Carpenter scored third period goals on Ann-Renée Desbiens, who made 27 saves in the win, but it was not enough. Carpenter’s goal came with 15 seconds left in the game.
Montreal will now select who they play in the first round of the playoffs between the Ottawa Charge and Minnesota Frost. They will make the selection live on the PWHL’s YouTube channel at 6:00 p.m. Eastern.
“We have the privilege to choose an opponent,” said Montreal head coach Kori Cheverie. “It’s not an easy decision. All the teams are hard to play against and then you pick an opponent and they probably feel extra ammo coming at us. We know we have to go through everybody anyway. We’ve got to be confident that we’re going to pick an opponent and we’re going to stick to that and we have to come out on top.”
Cheverie said that it is not a decision the team is taking lightly. She says they will be leaning on their scouting, analytics, GM, and coaching staff to make the selection.
Toronto will host the team that Montreal does not choose in a best-of-five semifinal that starts Wednesday. Montreal’s series will start on Thursday at Place Bell, with Game 2 of the series being played on Sunday May 11.
Notes
- Montreal defender Mariah Keopple was held out of the game for precautionary reasons. It was the first game she has missed over the two seasons of the PWHL. Rookie defender Anna Wilgren did not play in the third period, but Cheverie did not appear concerned saying she was sat out to ensure it didn’t affect her availability going forward.
- Poulin’s two goals saw her end the season with 19 goals, winning the PWHL’s goal scoring title.
Final Standings