The Victoire Are One Win Away From the Ultimate Prize

Maggie Flaherty plays the hero in overtime as Montreal defeats the Charge 2-1 to take a 2-0 series lead. The Victoire now heads back to Ottawa needing just one more win to etch its name on the Walter Cup.

Although Montreal tends to have slow first periods, this one was one of their best of the playoffs, but it did not stop Ottawa from getting their first and only goal of the night by rookie Sarah Wozniewicz, on Ottawa’s first shot of the night. “We were happy with how we came out, and sometimes that doesn't line up with the score,” attributed Poulin.

The Best Offense Was The Defense

Montreal’s star of the game was not one person in particular, but their entire defensive core. “We've been a team all year that has defended by committee and as a collective,” shared Cheverie. The Victoire blue line was able to rely on their veterans just as much as their newcomers. Nadia Mattivi, who joined the lineup in game one, had great looks, while Erin Ambrose was laying her body on the line to block a shot and, a second later, moving up the ice to orchestrate a play. Defenseman Kati Tabin tied the game in the third when a 4-on-4 was called, leading to a faceoff win by Poulin that deflected onto a skate and straight to Tabin’s stick, who was able to beat the Ottawa goalie with a backhand. “I’ve seen it in practices a few times,” shared Flaherty postgame. “Lot of whiffs, but when it counts, it counts,” teased Flaherty. Although the game felt equal in terms of scoring chances for both Canadian teams fighting for the Walter Cup, Montreal found another gear in overtime, forcing Ottawa to focus their energy defensively.

A Costly Mistake By Ottawa

Your first instinct when you see Poulin near the net in overtime is probably to head straight to her and stop Captain Clutch from living up to her name, and that’s what the Charge players did, except there were three players concentrated near her, which left the slot completely open for a pass to Maggie Flaherty, the overtime hero. “I don't know how many players get the kind of coverage that she gets,” Cheverie acknowledged. “It looked like a no-look pass right on the tape and, in order to beat Phillips, it had to be a one-timer in that moment.”

“I was lucky to maneuver it around, and Maggie was screaming quite loud for it. When you have her in the slot, it's rare that she misses that shot,” Poulin humbly explained. “She’s Pou, she has eyes all around her head!,” hyped up Tabin and Flaherty following the captain’s comment. “She’s too humble,” they laughed as Poulin shied away.

One More Win

Flaherty, who was signed during the off-season, could become the first player to win the Walter Cup three times, and her experience will be important for game three. “Both teams are going to be fighting desperately, whether your season is on the line or you have a chance to raise that cup.” Heading to Canadian Tire Centre with only one win left to hoist the Cup is not something the Victoire will allow themselves to get wrapped up in. For Poulin, the team beside her is the biggest factor. “There’s a lot of character in that room. We know it won't be easy, but you look left and right and see your teammates lift you up in hard games, and it motivates you.” Both the coach and the team agree that the next game will be the hardest and, as Cheverie stated: “The girls are allowed to be happy until puck drop of the Habs tonight.”

Game three will be played on Monday in Ottawa.