“It took three overtimes, but the Montreal Victoire are back in the series,” said an excited commentator after Marie-Philip Poulin scored a dramatic goal at 4:02 of the third overtime period. This victory not only secured a crucial win for the Victoire but also marked Poulin’s first career playoff goal in the PWHL.
The game unfolded on a tense night in Laval, Quebec, where both teams battled fiercely. The Victoire defeated the Minnesota Frost 1-0 in Game 2 of their semifinal series, tying the series at 1-1. Ann-Renee Desbiens stood tall in net, making an impressive 38 saves to secure the shutout.
In front of more than 7,500 fans at a sold-out Place Bell, the atmosphere was electric as both teams combined for a staggering 90 shots. Yet, despite this offensive flurry, neither team could find the back of the net during regulation time. This marked just the third playoff game in league history to go without a regulation goal.
Poulin’s winning shot came after she overcame visible pain throughout the match. “Poulin looked to be limping and in pain at moments throughout the game,” noted observers, highlighting her determination. The Frost had won Game 1 on Saturday with a score of 5-4, making this victory all the more vital for Montreal.
The series has been intense—this was already the seventh straight playoff game requiring overtime for Minnesota. Frost forward Britta Curl-Salemme missed this crucial game due to a suspension after delivering a high hit on Victoire forward Kaitlin Willoughby.
Looking ahead, Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota. Both teams will be eager to gain an advantage as they vie for a spot in the finals.
