Marie-Philip Poulin Delivers in Overtime as Montreal Outlasts Minnesota in a Playoff-Caliber Battle
If you’re watching the Montreal Victoire right now and thinking, “This feels like playoff hockey,” you’re not alone. Because that’s exactly how they’re playing - gritty, structured, and with just enough star power to make the difference when it matters most.
Case in point: Wednesday night in Minnesota. Tied at 1-1 in overtime, with the game teetering on a knife’s edge, it was Marie-Philip Poulin - of course it was - who delivered the dagger. A spinning backhand shot found its way past the goaltender, sealing a 2-1 win for Montreal over the Minnesota Frost at Grand Casino Arena.
It was vintage Poulin. Big moment, big finish. And for the Victoire, it was another hard-earned win in a season that’s been defined by tight margins and playoff-style intensity.
Another One-Goal Game, Another Statement
This was Montreal’s eighth straight one-goal game - tying a PWHL record - and they’ve gone 4-4 in those contests. That stat alone says plenty about who they are right now: a team that’s not just surviving in close games, but learning how to thrive in them. And while the record may be .500 in those nail-biters, the experience could prove invaluable come playoff time.
They held a 1-0 lead late in the third, thanks to Maureen Murphy’s first goal of the season - a deflection in front that finally beat Nicole Hensley. But with just over a minute left and Hensley pulled for the extra attacker, Kelly Pannek buried the equalizer for Minnesota to force OT.
That’s when Poulin took over.
Desbiens Shines Again
Ann-Renée Desbiens continues to be the backbone of this Montreal squad. She stopped 23 of 24 shots, marking the sixth time in 11 starts this season that she’s allowed one goal or fewer. Her .951 save percentage leads the league, and she’s been nothing short of elite between the pipes.
It’s not just the saves she makes - it’s the poise, the control, the way she settles the game down when things start to tilt. Against a high-powered Minnesota offense - the league’s top-scoring unit - Desbiens and the Montreal defense held firm. That’s no small feat against the two-time defending Walter Cup champs.
A Roster Built for the Grind
When Montreal brought in players like Hayley Scamurra, Shiann Darkangelo, Jade Downie-Landry, Abby Roque, Maggie Flaherty, and Jessica DiGirolamo, it was clear they were building for something beyond just regular-season success. These are players who know how to win puck battles, clog lanes, and play with the kind of edge that becomes crucial in May.
That identity is showing now. Even with a slim 1-0 lead in the third period, Montreal didn’t turtle.
They matched Minnesota shot-for-shot (8-8 in the third), even with the Frost pressing and their net empty. That’s the kind of composure and discipline that speaks to a team that knows who it is - and who it wants to be when the games really start to count.
Cheverie’s Challenge
Head coach Kori Cheverie has been pushing the right buttons, and she’s not shy about demanding more. After a 2-1 loss to New York, she challenged her team’s emotional investment, saying she wanted to see the same fight and grit they showed in a post-game scrum throughout the entire contest.
“Nothing is given in this league,” she said. “You have to earn absolutely every inch of ice.”
That’s not just coach-speak - that’s a blueprint. And it’s clear the message is landing. The Victoire aren’t just skating through the season; they’re grinding through it, building habits and toughness that could pay off down the stretch.
Eyes on the Playoffs - But Work to Do
Montreal is clinging to the final playoff spot in the standings, both in terms of total points and points percentage. So while the style of play is playoff-ready, the results need to keep coming. The margin for error is razor-thin in this league, and every point matters.
They’ve now beaten Minnesota in four straight games dating back to last season - all by one goal. And just like their last meeting, this one also ended in OT with Montreal on top.
That’s not a coincidence. That’s a team with a plan, executing it against one of the best in the league.
What’s Next
Montreal has two games left before the Olympic break, both at home - Saturday against Ottawa and Tuesday against Toronto. Two more opportunities to bank points, sharpen their identity, and keep climbing.
If they can keep this up, and if Poulin keeps doing Poulin things, the Victoire might just be the team no one wants to face when the postseason arrives.
Because right now, they’re not just playing playoff-style hockey - they’re becoming a playoff team.