By Canadian Press

Montreal Victoire’s scoring depth instrumental in club’s 6-2 PWHL win over Sirens

Feb 15, 2025 | 5:32 PM

LAVAL, Que. — Much of the discussion surrounding the Montreal Victoire through the midway mark of the Professional Women’s Hockey League schedule has revolved around captain Marie-Philip Poulin.

The 33-year-old Beauceville, Que., native leads the team in scoring with 13 points in 15 games. Her league-leading 11th goal of the season led Montreal to a 6-2 win over the New York Sirens on Saturday afternoon but also surpassed the 10 goals she scored in 21 games last season.

“(Marie-Philip) Poulin has obviously been playing really well lately,” said Victoire head coach Kori Cheverie. “She always gives us her best but we do need other people to score.

“Our team is not the Marie-Philip Poulin team.”

The scoring depth preached by Cheverie was on full display Saturday, particularly in Montreal’s four-goal first period. Three came from the team’s newly-formed fourth line, including two from Swede Lina Ljungblom.

The 23-year-old opened the scoring for Montreal, accepting a pass from linemate Clair Degeorge before beating Sirens starter Corinne Schroeder for her second goal of the season. She was credited with another before the period ended, deflecting a point shot from Amanda Boulier past Schroeder’s glove with just over a minute remaining.

However, Ljungblom said the goal wasn’t hers.

“First of all, I didn’t score two goals,” said Ljungblom “It’s Amanda’s goal.

“I don’t know where that came from. I scored one goal but I am good with that. It felt good to finally score again.”

Added Boulier: “I’m pretty sure Lina tipped it. It went off (someone’s) stick. I’m pretty sure it was Lina’s.”

Despite not receiving credit for what would have been her first goal of the season, Boulier was rewarded with the game’s first star after recording two assists and a plus-three rating.

“We need that type of depth in scoring if our team is going to be successful in the long run,” said Cheverie. “All these little moments that these players are getting and contributions on the scoreboard are going to pay dividends as the season goes on.”

Ljungblom’s two goals came in a season-low 10:18 of icetime played alongside Degeorge and Maureen Murphy. Nevertheless, she was proud of her line’s effort and contributions to the team’s season-high six goals in just their second game together.

“I feel like we’re just trying to do what we should do out there and what the coaches are telling us to do,” said Ljungblom. “We’re trying to have fun.

“Today, it felt good for the whole line that we could score some goals. We’re happy about that.”

So is Cheverie.

“I’m really happy with those roster adjustments that we made,” said Cheverie. “Lina, (Clair) Degeorge and (Maureen) Murphy are really buying into that group of three.

“This kind of adjustment has given them maybe a little more space and time. I really liked their response and was really happy with that line as a whole.”

NADEAU MAKES HER PWHL DEBUT

Defender Kelly-Ann Nadeau played her first-ever PWHL game for Montreal after signing with the team Friday. The native of Mont-Laurier, Que., who started the season on the Victoire’s reserve player list, had a hit in six minutes of icetime. The 26-year-old University of Montreal Carabins’ product became just the third player to play in the PWHL straight out of USports. The others were Toronto’s Rylind MacKinnon and New York’s Emmy Fecteau.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 15, 2025.

Jordan Stoopler, The Canadian Press

<!– Photo: 25cb11a457938eab4ddc9d059c8527d66da3de37e976f3ed641e2c9a7ad34148.jpg, Caption:

Montreal Victoire’s Mikyla Grant-Mentis (second left) celebrates her thirrd period goal against the New York Sirens with teammates during PWHL hockey action in Laval, Que. Saturday February 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter McCabe

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