Achi news desk-
Kristin O’Neill had a goal and an assist to lead Montreal to a 5-2 win over New York and clinch a spot in the PWHL playoffs on Wednesday.
The win moved Montreal (9-3-5-5) into a tie for first place with Toronto, where each team has 38 points and Toronto has a game in hand.
The loss eliminated New York from the playoffs in the six-team league.
Catherine Daoust, Catherine DuBois, Laura Stacey and Melody Daoust, with an empty netter, also scored for Montreal, which had three goals in the second period and held a 0-4 lead until the dying seconds of the game.
“The second period has been our nemesis all year but we came out with a lot of energy after a slow start,” Montreal coach Corey Shabrey said. “I was glad we did a good job of protecting the lead when they turned up the heat in the third.”
Marie-Philippe Poulin picked up one assist to pass Toronto’s Natalie Spooner for first in the PWHL scoring race with 22 points.
Anne-Rene Desvaines stopped 31 shots, including all 14 she faced in the first period.
She received strong support from her teammates, who blocked 21 shots.
“The first period like this gives the goalkeeper faith,” said Desvaines. “We all knew we didn’t have the best first period, but we still stood at 1:0.”
“She’s the Anne-René we drafted and we need her to play like that in the big games,” Shabrey said, saying she was disappointed that Montreal was down 14-6 in the first period.
Ella Shelton and Alexandra Leibel, in a short effort, scored for New York (3-4-3-11).
Corinne Schroeder made 20 saves.
New York was unable to take advantage of its power play, coming up empty on three opportunities in the first period and finishing the game 0-for-5.
Montreal was 2-for-4 with the extra man.
O’Neill, who scored one of the power-play goals – Stacey had the other – said she was determined to step up her offensive game after helping Canada win the gold medal at the world championships earlier this month.
“At the world championships I played with two college girls and now I have (Pollin) on one side and Stacey on the right side with her one-timer,” O’Neal said. “It fits.”
— This Canadian Press report was first published on April 24, 2024.
