Montreal Wins Battle for the Top

Rebecca Labaj

Last night the Boston Fleet visited the Montreal Victoire for the battle for the top. Heading into the match the teams were tied for the top seed after Boston found a win against the Minnesota Frost. 

The teams last faced at the TD Garden game in Boston where the Victoire found a tight 1-0 win with goaltending from Aerin Frankel and Ann-Renée Desbiens on full display. While the last time the teams played in Montreal, the Fleet found a massive comeback win overcoming a three goal deficit in overtime. 

With the playoffs around the corner the Boston Fleet decided to rest Aerin Frankel, slotting Abby Levy into the lineup. Before this game Levy had made two appearances this season both against the Seattle Torrent, finding one win and one loss. 

Despite two early goals from the Victoire Levy was able to settle into her game, leaving room for a Fleet comeback. Which they were able to string together, forcing overtime after goals from Jessie Eldridge and Daniela Pejšová. But the Fleet wouldn’t be able to close as the Victoire headed on the 4-on-3 power-play due to a late penalty from Boston. With the man advantage it didn’t take long for the Victoire to find the finish with rookie Nicole Gosling firing it home just 38 seconds in. 

With the overtime win the Victoire hold the top position, with a two point advantage over the Boston Fleet as the teams head into their final two matchups. The race for the top continues however the Fleet have the harder path facing the Ottawa Charge and the New York Sirens in the last stretch; expect to see some close matchups as the Charge and Sirens both look to secure the final playoff spot. While the Victoire face the expansion teams, with the Seattle Torrent already eliminated and the Goldeneyes close the cutoff both teams will most likely be looking to earn points towards the PWHL Gold Plan to secure the number 1 pick in this year's draft.