EN 
DE 
The Montreal Victoire secured a 4-1 victory over the Seattle Torrent Tuesday night in Laval, Quebec, thanks to three second-period goals. This win marked the Victoire’s tenth home victory of the season at Place Bell, making them the first team in the Professional Women’s Hockey League to reach 10 wins at a single venue in one season.
With a commanding 10-1-0 home record, including only one win outside of regulation time, Montreal continues to lead the eight-team PWHL standings. The Victoire are locked in a tight battle with the Boston Fleet for first place. Boston won 5-1 against the Vancouver Goldeneyes in Edmonton on the same night, trailing Montreal by only one point.
Montreal, Boston, and the Minnesota Frost have secured playoff spots, while the final playoff berth remains undecided.
Montreal’s pursuit of home-ice advantage in the playoffs remains a key priority. Head coach Kori Cheverie emphasized its importance, saying, “It’s crucial. We certainly talk about it as a staff. It’s not something that we talk about with the girls. They understand the magnitude of it, especially with having an experienced team that we do. That’s what we’re pushing towards.”
Place Bell is known for its vibrant, loud atmosphere, with DJ sets during intermissions that opponents have compared to an EDM concert. Seattle forward Mikyla Grant-Mentis, who previously spent parts of two seasons with Montreal, expressed her appreciation for the energy. “I love Montreal,” she said. “The fans, they’re one of a kind, and it’s nice to listen to the music that really buzzes through you the entire time.”
Victoire forward Laura Stacey praised the atmosphere as something home players thrive on. “Every single night here, we all talk about it at pre-game skate like we’re back home, we can’t wait to go to Place Bell. Every player who joins the organization knows that when you get to play here, it’s really something special,” she said.
The Victoire hold a 22-5-1 all-time regular-season record at Place Bell, though they have only won once in four playoff games there. They aim to win the Walter Cup and bring Montreal its first championship after two years with Minnesota taking the title.
Montreal extended their league-record point streak to 14 games, collecting 36 out of a possible 42 points this season. This feat is even more impressive given that captain Marie-Philip Poulin has missed eight games while on long-term injured reserve.
Seattle’s Theresa Schafzahl scored their lone goal, and Hannah Murphy made 21 saves in net. The Torrent face must-win scenarios ahead, needing a victory Wednesday in Ottawa to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
The scoring opened at 2:28 in the second period when Montreal’s Mlynkova finished a play set up by Alexandra Labelle for her fifth goal of the season. Shortly after, Montreal extended their lead on the power play as Ljungblom found Stacey, who scored her seventh goal. Seattle responded at 9:53 when Schafzahl knocked in a rebound for her fourth goal.
Montreal regained a two-goal cushion when Irving one-timed a backhand pass from Maggie Flaherty. Darkangelo sealed the game with an empty-net goal.
Meanwhile, the Boston Fleet continued their strong form with a 5-1 win over the Vancouver Goldeneyes in Edmonton, concluding the PWHL’s 16-game Takeover Tour. Boston extended their winning streak to five games and sit just two points behind Montreal atop the standings.
Jessie Eldridge scored twice for Boston, joined by goals from captain Megan Keller, Susanna Tapani, and Jamie Lee Rattray. Goalie Aerin Frankel stopped 28 of 29 shots, tying her with Montreal’s Renee Desbiens for the league lead with 17 wins.
Boston’s special teams shone, with Keller scoring short-handed and Eldridge adding a power-play goal as Boston built a 3-0 lead in the second period. Vancouver’s Sophie Jaques scored their only goal early in the third period.
Starting goalie Emerance Maschmeyer allowed five goals on 23 shots over two periods before Kristen Campbell took over and stopped all six shots faced in the third.
The PWHL’s choice to hold neutral-site games in Edmonton for a third time has fueled speculation about possible league expansion there next season. Attendance remains strong, with 10,794 fans at Tuesday’s game, following draws of 17,518 and 10,264 in previous visits.