LAVAL, QC – In a thrilling contest on March 23, 2025, the Toronto Sceptres edged the Montreal Victoire 2-1 at Place Bell, preventing their rivals from clinching a playoff berth. This match, which drew a sold-out crowd of 10,172 fans, saw standout performances that will be remembered as the Sceptres maintained their momentum in the PWHL standings.
The Sceptres’ victory, their second consecutive win, was powered by impressive efforts from forward Natalie Spooner, who scored the game-winning goal early in the second period, and Jesse Compher, who added another goal just 52 seconds into the middle frame. Toronto’s goaltender, Kristen Campbell, had a stellar outing, stopping 32 of the 33 shots she faced, thus securing her eighth win of the season—and her second in a row.
“Toronto did a really good job of just getting pucks into the blue paint and creating a bit of a scramble,” commented Sceptres head coach Troy Ryan, noting Campbell’s significant contribution to the game. Her efforts catapulted her to the top of the league stats, as she has now allowed one goal or fewer in eight games this season.
Despite the defeat, the Victoire fought hard, outshooting the Sceptres 33 to 20 throughout the game. Montreal’s captain, Marie-Philip Poulin, managed to put one past Campbell late in the third period, marking her 15th goal of the season—a league-leading achievement.
“We had a lot of shots, and of course we wanted to put traffic in front of (Kristen) Campbell, who’s a very good goaltender,” Poulin noted after the game. “It’s up to us to work hard and put those rebounds in the back of the net.” Her reflections underscore the growing urgency as the playoffs approach.
The Victoire’s loss was particularly bitter as they entered the game with a chance to secure their playoff spot with a regulation win. Unfortunately for them, it marked their third consecutive loss, a season-high streak which has raised concerns about their final push ahead of the postseason.
Injuries played a significant role in both teams’ performances. Ann-Renée Desbiens, the Victoire’s starting goaltender, was sidelined after suffering a left knee injury earlier in the week. Her absence was felt, with Elaine Chuli stepping in and making 18 saves. “We need to be able to put those pucks in the back of the net,” commented Victoire head coach Kori Cheverie, emphasizing the need for improvement in capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
On the other side, the Sceptres welcomed back Sarah Nurse, who had been on long-term injured reserve for 44 days following a lower-body injury. She returned with an assist in 13 minutes and 55 seconds of ice time, helping to uplift her team’s morale. “It felt good to come back,” Nurse remarked, highlighting the support she received from her teammates during her recovery process.
Looking ahead, the Victoire will face the Minnesota Frost on March 26, 2025, as they seek to secure a playoff spot before the end of the season. Meanwhile, the Sceptres will aim to build on their winning momentum when they face the Boston Fleet this week.
As the PWHL season nears its conclusion, every game is becoming increasingly crucial for both teams as they vie for playoff positioning. The contrasting fortunes of the Sceptres and Victoire serve as a reminder of the stakes involved in each contest.
With five games remaining for both teams, the race for the playoffs will intensify, and fans can expect more exciting hockey as the season unfolds.
