Montreal overcomes deficit but suffers shootout loss in New York
For sixth consecutive PWHL game, Montreal limited to two or fewer goals
Defeated 3-2 in a shootout by New York on Tuesday, Montreal nevertheless joined Minnesota in first place in the Professional Women's Hockey League standings.
Abby Roque and Alex Carpenter scored in the shootout for New York, but Montreal was unable to get past New York's Abigail Levy in the shootout in four attempts — two by Marie-philip Poulin.
Montreal, which won the first two games between the two clubs this season, has 21 points with a record of 7-2-3, tied with Minnesota and four points ahead of Toronto in the six-team league. Montreal was limited to two goals or fewer in a sixth consecutive game.
“You have to play the whole match,” insisted Montreal coach Kori Cheverie. “We were in a situation where we had to start the match strong. We haven't done it in the last two games, although we continue to get points. If we play a full 60 minutes, we will be in a good position.
“It's difficult to play with two goals behind since we use the players differently to get a spark. It's difficult for them. The further we fall behind, the more we abuse our resources in an attempt to create equality.”
Laura Stacey and Maureen Murphy scored in the loss, allowing Montreal to erase a two-goal deficit to force overtime. Tereza Vanisova had two assists.
Carpenter scored twice for New York in the first period, the second goal short-handed. With eight goals and 14 points, she leads the league in scoring. Roque assisted on both of Carpenter's goals.
Ann-renée Desbiens stopped 20 shots for Montreal. At the other end of the ice, Levy made 21 saves.
Cheverie's team will return to action on Saturday when it hosts Ottawa at the Verdun Auditorium. Montreal has won both matches between the two clubs.
A BAD START
The Montrealers put themselves in a bad position from the first moments of the game when Murphy received a cross-checking penalty 1:32 into the game.
Carpenter took the opportunity to score her seventh goal of the season into the upper left corner of the net.
Near the end of the period, Poulin tried to reach Erin Ambrose, but the latter lost her balance. Roque grabbed the puck and got free, but Desbiens made the save. Roque collected her own rebound, then completed a pass to Carpenter at the mouth of the net. Carpenter didn't miss her chance.
Stacey closed the gap at 16:04 of the second period on the power play. She hit a perfect shot into the upper left of the net while Catherine Dubois blocked Levy's view.
It was only Montreal's third power-play goal this season, but a second in as many games. Montreal has scored on 7.7 per cent of power plays this season.
New York's power play is working at full capacity with a goal on Wednesday and a success rate of 22.6 per cent this season.
Stacey thought she had tied the game at 7:29 of the final period, once again with an extra player. Well placed in front of Levy's cage, she deflected Poulin's shot with her leg. After video review, however, the goal was disallowed due to contact with the goalkeeper.
“I don't think she had any contact, but I'm not 100 sure,” said Stacey, who flashed a big smile as soon as the disallowed goal was announced.
“Honestly, it happens sometimes, hockey is not an easy sport. Sometimes you're on the right side, sometimes you're not.”
“We were told there was accidental contact,” Cheverie said.
Regardless, Murphy brought the two teams level exactly 60 seconds later with another goal that required video review.
The puck crossed the red line as the net came loose. This time, the decision went in favour of the visitors. It was Murphy's second goal this season.