Desbiens Stumps Frost As Victoire Take Over First Place
Desbiens Stumps Frost As Victoire Take Over First Place
LAVAL, QC (March 1, 2026) – The Montréal Victoire extended its undefeated streak at Place Bell, and against the Minnesota Frost, this season with a 4-0 shutout win highlighted by Ann-Renée Desbiens’ 17 save performance in goal. The Victoire’s seventh straight win at Place Bell came before a sold-out crowd of 10,172 that cheered the team into first place in the PWHL standings, while putting a halt to the Frost’s six-game point streak. After 13 minutes of back-and-forth chances to open the first period, Maggie Flaherty found the back of the net on a shot that lifted over Nicole Hensley’s blocker to put the Victoire up 1-0. Just 1:11 later, Dara Greig capitalized on a rebound chance in front of the net at 14:12 to secure Montréal’s lead and close out the scoring in the first period. The middle frame featured a defensive battle where neither team made it onto the scoresheet. Minnesota gained momentum in the third period with a 5-on-3 advantage where Sidney Morin had the best chance with a shot off the bottom of the crossbar that deflected away from the net. Maureen Murphy opened the third period offense with the Victoire’s third goal at 11:22, before Laura Stacey tallied her first career shorthanded ‘jailbreak’ goal from a Marie-Philip Poulin pass in the captain’s return from the Olympic break. Desbiens picked up her fourth shutout and 11th win as the Victoire leapfrog Boston by one point. Hensley reached 29 saves in her first regulation loss this season in eight games played as the Frost remain in third.
Both teams will travel to Coca-Cola Coliseum to play Toronto for their next games, with Montréal seeking their sixth straight win on Tuesday night and Minnesota looking for their first win to start the second half of the season on Sunday, Mar. 8.