Montreal Victoire clinched their first victory over the Toronto Sceptres during the Professional Women’s Hockey League with a heart-pounding 4-3 overtime win on Saturday, thanks to Laura Stacey's breakaway goal just 15 seconds after the extra period began. This milestone was underscored by the emotional emphasis on supporting former Sceptres goalie Erica Howe, who is currently battling breast cancer.
The atmosphere at Coca-Cola Coliseum, which hosted 8,251 fans, was electric, not just for the fierce competition but for the honor bestowed upon Howe, who announced her retirement last season. Hockey players, fans, and both teams took a moment to unite and acknowledge Howe's courageous fight against the illness. This day was marked as Toronto's Cancer Awareness game, which served to rally support for all those impacted by cancer.
Stacey, 28, who is well-acquainted with Howe from their collegiate days, said, "I've talked to her [Erica Howe] a ton of times, but to see her in [that] vulnerable state, it's pretty tough to see, so it's emotional." Stacey noted the powerful support network surrounding Howe, adding, "I know she's got this," which reflected the sentiments of many teammates and spectators alike.
Meanwhile, the on-ice battle crystallized the rivalry between these two teams. Toronto, fresh from winning all five encounters against Montreal last season, struck first with goals from Jesse Compher and Sarah Nurse. They led at various points throughout the game, first 2-0 and then again at 3-2, following Izzy Daniel’s resurgence late in the second period.
The Victoire, not to be outdone, rallied back. Abby Boreen netted one goal and Lina Ljungblom lit the lamp late in regulation, tying the game at 3-3 and forcing overtime. Goaltender Elaine Chuli, who made 19 saves for Montreal, was pivotal. Meanwhile, Raygan Kirk, making her first start with Toronto, stopped 35 shots but faced challenges against the surge of the Victoire's offense. Kirk later received accolades from her coach for her performance, showing maturity beyond her years and proving she belongs at this level.
Sceptres head coach Troy Ryan noted the improvements seen on the penalty kill, which had previously struggled this season, claiming, "Our penalty kill has responded today," especially during high-stress moments of the game. The Sceptres successfully killed four penalties, marking their first game of the season without allowing power-play goals.
Despite the eventual loss, the Sceptres left the ice showing promise and determination. Ryan pointed out the team’s grit and progress, benefitting from the sustained offensive pressure they exhibited, which would be pivotal as they moved forward alongside new rookie talent, such as Kirk.
Post-game, Howe personally addressed the crowd, thanking them for standing behind her and for the donations made to the Canadian Cancer Society. Veteran defender Jocelyne Larocque expressed the weight of the day and the emotional toll it took on players, stating, "It was hard to focus on the game after [we honored Howe]. It was all I was thinking about." The deep connection to Howe's fight gave both sides greater motivation beyond the desire to win.
For the Victoire, this triumph represented more than just earning points. Coach Kori Cheverie aptly summarized, "We came out with the win, but today was so much bigger than hockey." This sentiment echoed through the celebrations and reflections as players acknowledged what truly mattered: solidarity and strength against adversity.
Laura Stacey's winning goal will be forever cherished, but for many involved, the true victory lay within the community support and unified front against the fight against cancer, demonstrating the remarkable resilience embodied by players like Erica Howe.
