Even after the team’s 2-1 shootout win against the Minnesota Frost on Tuesday, Montreal Victoire Kori Cheverie pointed out a simmering issue.
“We can’t keep going at the pace that we’re going in terms of only one line scoring,” Cheverie said after that game. “It won’t put us in a good space for the playoffs and the players know that. They know we have to find a way to get depth scoring.”
The team’s 4-1 loss to the Toronto Sceptres on Thursday was the latest example. The team’s lone goal was scored by Marie-Philip Poulin, meaning it is now six games since the team scored a goal where the top line of Poulin, Laura Stacey, and Jennifer Gardiner were not on the ice.
“I don’t think in the history of us being together as a group that we’ve had a game like that,” Cheverie said about the loss to Toronto. “It’s good. It’s good for us in this moment to realize ‘OK…’ It’s time to set the tone, it’s time to take it up a new level. We’re hoping for a great response from our group against Boston.”
The Sceptres opened up a 1-0 lead in the first period, and then scored two goals in 59 seconds midway through the second period. The third goal chased Elaine Chuli from the game after making 12 saves on 15 shots. Ann-Renée Desbiens replaced her. It was the first mid-game goalie change in the team’s history. After the game Cheverie said it wasn’t about Chuli’s play but to try and spark her team.
The Victoire used a new-look bottom three lines in this game, but it didn’t generate the production that the team wanted. The options from within are limited, as there aren’t many other combinations to try while Alexandra Labelle is still out of the lineup with an upper-body injury. What doesn’t help matters is that the power play went 0/6 on Thursday and is now 0/12 since last scoring a power play goal five games ago in Ottawa on February 22.
The PWHL’s trade deadline is next Thursday, and it will be interesting to see whether the team makes a move. How they respond on Saturday in Boston against the Fleet and next Tuesday against the New York Sirens may force general manager Danièle Sauvageau’s hand one way or another.
Montreal remains in first place, but the gap is closing. Toronto closed to within six points of the Victoire, but have played one game more than Montreal.
The Victoire are on their longest road trip of the season: four games over 13 days. Six of their remaining nine games are on the road. Their next game is Saturday afternoon against the Boston Fleet. It will be Boston’s first home game in Boston proper as their home games over the last two seasons have been in Lowell.
Standings