February 24, 2024
Claire Dalton nets a hat trick to propel Montreal over Ottawa at home
Following a slew of closely contested matches, Montreal finally unloaded a barrage of goals to topple Ottawa at home at the Verdun Auditorium.
With another full barn, Montreal has showed that there is a healthy market and demand is through the roof – leading many to ponder if perhaps the Bell Center, home of the Montreal Canadiens of the NHL, might become a viable option for the team come play-off time.
See Also: Montreal defeats league leaders Minnesota in front of sold out crowd
“I think this city has been starved for play-off hockey for such a long time,” said Amélie St-Pierre, an excited spectator found outside after the game. Adding “I really wouldn’t be surprised if the women filled up the Bell Center. They’ve filled Laval and Verdun too, so why not!”.
The first game of the contest came near the ten minute mark of the first period, when Tereza Vanisova opened the scoring for Montreal with a power play goal. Slowly but surely, Montreal’s power play has come to life in recent games, up from among the worst just a few short weeks ago. Montreal came into the game with the worst power-play record in the league but that looks to have turned the time, as Montreal notch a power play marker in three consecutive games.
Ottawa replied with a goal of their own from Akane Shiga, who notched her first point in the PWHL on the play. Ottawa’s Natalie Snodgrass fired a blisteringly quick wrist shot on goal, that was kicked away by Montreal goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens but the rebound fell right on the tap of Shiga who made no mistakes in burring the puck in the back of the net. The first period would end at one a piece.
The second period was a fairly chippy affair, as both squads upped their physicality. Montreal found themselves in hot water, having taken two penalties in just a few seconds, and were now down two players. An awry pass fell to the stick of Dalton, who turned on her jets and sped down the ice where she beat an outstretched Maschmeyer, giving Montreal a one-goal lead. Scoring a short handed goal in the PWHL also “jail breaks” the imprisoned player, bringing Catherine Dubois out of the penalty box and back into the fray.
Ottawa came back hard early on in the third period but it would Montreal that would strike first. Ann-Sophie Bettez beat Maschmeyer just above the blocker for her second goal of the year. Just minutes later, Desbiens gave up a huge rebound that bounced to Daryl Watts, who putted the puck home home her third goal of the year.
Montreal eventually broke the game wide open, largely spurred on by Claire Dalton, who beat Ottawa goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer on two more occasions – but gave up a power play following two rather undisciplined late period penalties. Desbiens would again give up a juicy rebound that Tereza Mrázová tucked in glove side. Dalton’s third marker put Montreal back up by two goals, however, putting any sort of comeback to bed along with it.
Read More:
>> Montreal sign Catherine Dubois
>> Montreal defeats Ottawa in overtime, set attendance record
>> Quebec to spend a fortune to repair the Olympic stadium roof
Fan favorite Mare-Philip Poulin would put the match beyond reach by firing a puck into an empty net for Montreal’s sixth and final goal of the afternoon. With the win, Montreal reclaim first place over Minnesota, while Ottawa remain at the bottom of the standings. Poulin also had three assists in the game, putting her firmly atop Montreal’s score board. The combined nine goals sets a new record for highest number of goals in a PWHL contest.
Montreal will face Boston at home on March 2, in Verdun, while Ottawa will host New York on February 28 at TD Place.
