Marie-Philip Poulin scored twice, including the overtime winner, leading the Montreal Victoire to a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Frost in a thrilling Professional Women’s Hockey League match on Sunday. Poulin’s decisive goal came just 3:12 into the extra period, beating goaltender Maddie Rooney in front of a packed crowd of 10,172 at Place Bell. This goal extended Poulin’s impressive five-game point streak.
Adding to Montreal’s goals was Abby Roque, who found the back of the net with an assist from Poulin, completing a three-point performance for the captain. Ann-Renee Desbiens made 19 saves to secure the win for the Victoire.
Minnesota’s goals came from Mae Batherson and Kendall Coyne Schofield, with Rooney making 35 saves in her second consecutive start. The game was forced into overtime due to late third-period goals. Coyne Schofield put the Frost ahead 2-1 with just 1:50 left on the clock. However, with the extra attacker on, Roque managed to tip in Poulin’s pass with less than 30 seconds remaining, tying the game at 2-2.
Batherson opened the scoring for Minnesota early in the second period with a shot from the left circle. Roque later leveled the score for Montreal with a backhand that beat Rooney. Despite being outshot in the first period, Montreal dominated overall, outshooting Minnesota 38-21.
Notable absences in the game included Erin Ambrose for Montreal due to illness and Dominique Petrie for Minnesota, who left the game with an injury.
Minnesota concluded a busy stretch with a four-game road trip, earning six out of a possible 12 points. On the other hand, Montreal ended a three-game losing streak, thanks to Poulin and Roque’s late-game heroics.
A significant moment in the match was the back-and-forth goals by Coyne Schofield and Roque in the final moments of regulation, forcing the game into overtime. Kendall Cooper’s assist on Batherson’s goal set a new PWHL record with a six-game assist streak.
Looking ahead, Montreal will face the Vancouver Goldeneyes in Quebec City, while Minnesota will host the Seattle Torrent in their upcoming games.