Whether it’s the last game of the regular season, the playoffs or a duel without a stake, Boston seems to have Montreal’s number in the Professional Women’s Hockey League.
In the first of its two preparatory matches, the Victoire de Montréal suffered a 3-1 loss against the Boston Fleet, Wednesday afternoon on the Espace Denis-Savard ice rink at the Verdun Auditorium.
Barely six months ago, Montreal concluded its regular season with a 4-3 defeat in a game played in Lowell.
Five days later began a three-of-five semi-final series that the Boston team swept thanks to three overtime victories. One of them even required an additional third period.
Wednesday’s match, played behind closed doors with the exception of the managers of the two teams, journalists and members of the family and friends of the players, offered rhythmic play.
Ann-Renée Desbiens started the game in front of the Victoire net and played for two full periods. She faced 24 pucks and allowed the Fleet’s first two goals, both scored by Hilary Knight, including the winning net in the final minute of the second period.
Shay Maloney added an empty-net goal in the final minute of regulation.
Sandra Abstreiter took over for Desbiens in the third period and blocked all seven shots aimed at her.
This preparatory match was the opportunity to see the trio of Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey and the Swede Lina Ljungblom in action for the very first time against real rivals.
However, it is the trio composed of Maureen Murphy, Abigail Boreen and Alexandra Labelle which has been the most consistent and the most visible for the Montreal team.
Murphy also scored the only goal for Montreal with the help of Quebec defender Kelly-Ann Nadeau in the first period.
Kori Cheverie’s players directed 28 shots at goalkeepers Klara Peslarova and Emma Söderberg, who played half of the match each.
With the exception of the five players out since the start of camp, including defender Cayla Barnes — the team’s first pick in the last draft — and forward Catherine Dubois, forwards Kristin O’Neill and Jennifer Gardiner had been left aside on the Victory side, just like goalkeeper Elaine Chuli.
The Victory will complete this mini preparatory tournament Friday afternoon against the Ottawa Charge.
Ottawa and Boston will face each other on Thursday.
