With the season on the line, the New York Sirens entered Place Bell Tuesday night knowing they could stave off elimination with a win against the top-seeded Montreal Victoire. Fortune favoured the visiting team, as they triumphed 1-0.
It was a goal from Sirens forward, and former McGill University Martlet, Jade Downie-Landry that proved to be the difference maker for New York. It started with a hit to the head executed by Victoire defender Kati Tabin on the Sirens’ Jessie Eldridge. Tabin was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct, cueing up an opportunity for the visiting team to pounce. With mere seconds remaining in the first period, Downie-Landry collected the puck off the draw and wired home the games’ sole goal over Elaine Chuli’s shoulder.
“It was one of those goals where the faceoff was perfect,” explained Downie-Landry in French postgame. “I have to give credit to my centre Gabby [Rosenthal].”
The Sirens headed into the game leading the league with 29.19 shots per game, and mustered another 31 toward Chuli on Tuesday. On the other end of the ice, Corinne Schroeder stopped all 16 shots faced, merriting a shutout and third star of the game honours.
The win helps New York stay alive. The New York Sirens remain at the bottom of the PWHL standings and the odds of making the PWHL playoffs is not on their side. The win, however, was all the motivation the team needed to accomplish a feisty victory against Montreal.
“You can’t replicate desperation,” said Victoire forward Kristin O’Neill after the game. “But we also have confidence in us. We are at the top of the standings, and we try to use that every game.”
With the loss, Montreal has dropped four of their last five games. They remain the only team to clinch a playoff spot, and the focus after the game was on the positives rather than the negatives.
“Chuli was amazing, our penalty kill was great, our power play had good looks,” said Montreal head coach Kori Cheverie before pointing out what she felt was the weakest aspect from her team’s performace. “I thought we gave away the second period, so we basically wasted 20 minutes of the game.”
Montreal will now have a lengthy pause until the next game on April 26 with players leaving for the World Championships. When the Victoire do return, it will be in Ottawa against the Charge.
