Boston scored four goals to Montreal’s one in regulation and overtime, then succeeded in the shootout, scoring two goals to zero.
Boston scored four goals to Montreal’s one in regulation and overtime, then succeeded in the shootout, scoring two goals to zero.
The Boston Fleet beat the Montreal Victoire in their opening preseason contests on Nov. 20 at Denis-Savard arena in Verdun, Que. Fleet forward Hilary Knight recorded two goals and three points on the day.
Both teams combined for an 0-6 showing on the power play. Post-game Montreal head coach Kori Cheverie was asked about the new No Escape Rule–that the four players on the previous line must stay on the ice for the following faceoff.
“We’re trying to play around with the new rule ourselves, and we tried to make some quick changes during the game, but it’s going to take time for us as coaches and as players,” Chevrie said.
When asked about if she likes the rule, Cheverie responded by saying yes, but that would like to see how it plays out.
Fleet head coach Courtney Kessel was asked about the newest additions to the league and their performance in the game.
“All the teams, we’re trying to figure out lines,” said Kessel. “We have a few new players from the draft and there’s people that are trying out so it’s interesting to jump into this, and only two games before we start the regular season.”
Offseason acquisition for the Victoire, 2023-24 Swedish Womens’ Hockey League MVP and forward Lina Ljunblom, started the game on the top-line with Laura Stacey and Marie-Phillip Poulin.
“I feel like I have so much to learn from them,” Ljungblom said. “I feel like they want me to be better and, of course, I want to be out there and make them better.”
Ljunblom was then asked about the pace of play.
“I liked it. I like to play fast. Also, I think it’s going to be fun for me to play at this level with this hitting.”
Both teams traded goals in the first period. Boston showcased a desire to get pucks around Victoire goaltender Ann-Rennée Desbiens’ crease. Knight opened the scoring by tapping in a cross-crease feed from 2024 fourth overall draft pick Hannah Bilka.
The Victoire responded after a clearing attempt from Kelly Ann Nadeau found a streaking Maureen Murphy who, after an initial save from Fleet netminder Klára Peslarová, whacked home the rebound to tie the game.
Late in the frame, a scary moment occurred when Stacey took a hit and collided hard into the boards in front of Boston’s bench. She was promptly evaluated but returned to the ice for the start of the second period.
Emma Söderberg replaced Peslarová halfway through the second frame, which saw end-to-end action and ramped up physicality from the Victoire. The Fleet picked up the pace in response, however. With just under a minute left, forward Jillian Dempsey intercepted a clearing attempt and fed Knight for her second goal on the day. Boston held the lead 2-1 headed into the intermission.
Sandra Abstreiter filled in between the pipes to open the third for Montreal, replacing Desbiens.
“With only about two weeks and a half week of camp, we’re stuck in the middle of trying to prepare the team as best we can,” said Cheverie. Being able to put Desbiens in for two periods and then give Abstreiter a period was our way of trying to find a balance and give her reps.”
Boston continued to display effective physicality, much to the frustration of the Victoire.
As time ticked down in the period, Cheverie pulled Abstreiter with just under three minutes remaining. A golden opportunity came when a shot from defender Erin Ambrose ping-pong through traffic and found the stick of Abigail Boreen, who missed a wide open net. With less than a minute remaining, Fleet forward Shay Maloney potted the empty net goal, sealing the regulation win.
The overtime period did not last long. At the 1:51 mark, Knight took the puck up ice in transition, finding linemate Jamie Lee Ratray who pulled off a forehand-backhand deke before lifting the puck over the right shoulder of Abstreiter.
Boston additionally won the shootout by a score of two goals to zero. Forwards Alina Müller and Alina Gabel netted the two markers, while Söderberg stopped all four shots against.