The Montreal Victoire moved one step closer to the PWHL championship after a gritty 2‑1 victory over the Minnesota Frost in Game 5 of their semifinal series.
A Delayed Drama
The contest was originally slated for Tuesday night but was pushed back 24 hours after an undisclosed illness struck the Victoire roster, adding a layer of uncertainty to an already high‑stakes matchup.
Goalie Ann‑Renée Desbiens was the backbone of the win, stopping 25 of the 26 shots he faced and preserving a slim lead that would prove decisive.
Early in the first period, Catherine Dubois opened the scoring at 12:16, giving Montreal a 1‑0 edge that set the tone.
Midway through the second period, Sam Cogan tied the game for Minnesota, forcing the teams into a deadlock heading into the third.
The breakthrough came in the final frame when Marie‑Philip Poulin struck the game‑winning goal, sealing a 2‑1 result and sending the crowd into celebration.
The Road Ahead
With the series now shifting to a best‑of‑five showdown against the Ottawa Charge, the Victoire will look to carry the momentum forward as they chase the league’s Water Cup.
The Frost, who captured back‑to‑back titles in the league’s inaugural seasons, now face a new challenger in their pursuit of a third straight championship.