In the PWHL’s first post-Olympics game, Montreal got off to a fast start, scoring three goals in the first 10:07 – on three of their first four shots. Dara Greig struck first for the Victoire, scoring her second goal of the season just 5:00 into the first period. Jade Downie-Landry followed 47 seconds later to give Montreal an early 2-0 lead, and rookie Skylar Irving added an unassisted marker less than five minutes later to give the visitors a 3-0 lead.
The Sirens, who outscored Montreal 10-5 in the first period, got on the board at 5:57 of the second period when rookie Casey O’Brien scored on the power play, her fifth goal of the season, to cut the lead to 3-1. Montreal regained their three-goal lead early in the third when forward Lina Ljungblom scored her first of the season — and second point of the night — just 3:43 into the frame with a power-play marker. Laura Stacey collected the first assist on the goal, her second of the match, and became the eighth player in league history to reach 50 career points.
Despite being outscored 35-22, Montreal held on behind Desbiens’ tenth win of the season. Sirens goalie Kayle Osborne allowed three goals on six shots — rookie Callie Shanahan came in and stopped 15 of 16 in relief.
The Victoire shares first place with the Boston Fleet, who have two games in a row, while New York has lost four in a row and remains in fourth place.
QUOTES
Victory Head Coach Kori Chevrie on the play of the team’s defensemen: “I liked the confidence that our core defenseman played with tonight, and it was nice for them to get those reps and knock off the rust a little bit. They were a big contributor to our offense, our ability to move the puck and keep the pucks in the blue. So I really liked what they brought tonight.”
Montreal forward Hayley Scamurra on returning to the PWHL after the Olympics: “Having the PWHL is huge right now because of all that momentum. In years past, when the Olympics were over, people didn’t have anything to see for another four years, or a World Championship. I think we’re really excited to get back to our markets and play our game, and I know we’ve probably had a lot of new viewers. I think the key is to just keep doing what we’ve been doing and keep putting a good product on the ice.”
New York head coach Greg Fargo on what he saw after the Sirens scored three goals in the first period: “I think [it was a] slow start. You know, we had some moments in the first period that we liked, and there was a six or seven minute period where we stepped away from some of our habits, and they were able to take advantage of the looks they were getting. It’s a shame, but we have to be ready to play.”
Sirens ahead Sarah Fillier on the momentum women’s hockey and the PWHL has gotten from the Olympics: “I mean, I think it’s already… gotten a boost from the Olympics. If you look at the gold medal game, I think it’s one of the best hockey games we’ve played against the USA – it might have been the best hockey game of the entire tournament. So yeah, we’re just trying to attract new fans, attract international fans, grow in our markets. It’s always fun to come back to our New York fans and we are always trying to attract a bigger audience.”
NOTES
Montreal has won four games in a row since losing to New York in Washington DC on January 18. They are the first team in the PWHL this season to string together two four-game winning streaks before winning four straight games from November 25 to December 20.
New York has lost four games in a row since their Takeover Tour win over Montreal. They are the first team in the PWHL this season to post two four-game losing streaks, losing four in a row from December 3-21.
The Victoire have won consecutive games by a three-goal margin for the first time in team history (3-0 vs. Toronto on January 28). Minnesota is the only other team in the PWHL to accomplish the feat this season, doing so on two separate occasions.
Montreal’s three goals in the first period were the most goals scored by any team this season. This was the second time New York gave up three goals in the opening period.
The Victoire went 1-for-2 on the power play and improved their season efficiency to 20.9%, now the highest percentage in the league. They have scored at least one goal with a player advantage in each of their last three matches.
Montreal recorded a season-low 22 shots on goal, 10 fewer than their season average. New York has defeated its opponents in 10 of their 17 games, but has won only three such games.
Ann-Renee Desbiens is the first goaltender this season to record 10 wins. The Canadian Olympic silver medalist has allowed one or fewer goals in nine of her fourteen starts, including three with more than thirty saves. She improved her league-leading goals-against average to 1.14 and save percentage to .956. Her 34 saves are the most she has made in the regular season this season.
by Laura Stacey The second assist of the game brought her career points total to 50 (23G, 27A) in her 66th career regular season game, becoming the eighth PWHL player to reach the half-century point mark. The Olympic silver medalist now has eight assists this season, which puts him tied for fourth in the league in this category. Her assist total through her first 16 games this season matches her 2024 season output in 23 games and is three fewer than her 2024-25 total in 27 games.
Jade Downie Landry recorded her first point as a member of Montreal in her ninth game with the team after missing the first seven games of the season at LTIR. The game winner was the fourth of her career, with her previous GWG as a member of the Sirens against the Victoire on April 1, 2025. The forward, who spent her first two PWHL seasons as a member of the Sirens, broke an 11 game point drought with the tally.
Downie Landry appeared to have scored her second goal of the evening at 3:37 of the second period, but after video review with the on-ice officials in consultation with the PWHL Central Situation Room, the goal was disallowed due to goaltender interference.
Lina Ljungblom recorded her first two points (1G, 1A) of the season for Montreal in her seventh appearance, after missing the team’s first nine games during LTIR. The Swedish Olympian earned three points in Milan, but broke a pointless 12-game PWHL regular-season drought dating back to the 2024-2025 season, with her previous point coming 346 days ago (March 18, 2025).
Dara Greig has scored points in consecutive games for the first time in her PWHL career after notching an assist before the Olympic break (Jan. 28 vs. Toronto). Tonight’s total was the second goal of her career, in her 45th PWHL game, with both of her career goals coming this season. Her first came on December 20 vs. Vancouver.
Casey O’Brien scored her fifth of the season and is now joint first with teammate in the rookie score Kristina Kaltounkova and ranks eighth in the overall league score with 12 points (5G, 7A). The Sirens forward is on a four-game losing streak, a new career high. She leads all rookies with three power play goals and ranks second among all skaters in the category. O’Brien now has points in nine of her last 11 games.
Skylar Irving recorded her first career PWHL goal in her 14th career game. The rookie forward now has three points (1G, 2A) in her last four games after recording one point in her first ten games with the Victoire.
Natalia Mlýnková recorded her third assist of the season and now has seven points (4G, 3A), placing her fourth in team scoring and tied for eighth in PWHL rookie scoring. After leading the Czech Republic in Olympic scoring, the forward now has points in back-to-back matches for the third time this season – she is yet to post a three-match points streak.
Shiann Darkangelo recorded her second assist of the season in her 16th game. The forward, who joined the Victoire ahead of the 2025-26 season, has points in back-to-back games for the first time as a member of Montreal and now has five points (3G, 2A) for the season. She also achieved a success rate of 52.6%, marking her fourth consecutive match above 50% and the twelfth time this season that she has exceeded that mark.
Nicole Gosling has assisted in consecutive games and ranks fourth among rookie defensemen in the category with five. All six of her PWHL points have come in nine games since the calendar turned to 2026.
Sarah Fillier recorded the tenth assist of the season, ranking second in the category among all PWHL players. The Olympic silver medalist, who led the league as much as a rookie last season, is second in team scoring (1G, 10A), one point behind the team’s co-leaders. O’Brien And Kaltounkovaand has seven assists in her last six games.
Maja Nylen Persson has scored points in back-to-back games for the first time this season (2A) and the third time in her PWHL career. The Swedish Olympian now has five points (1G, 4A) in 16 games. Her assists total matches her performance in 2024-2025, and she is one point away from matching her points total from last season, in 23 games played.
Kayle Osborne made her league-leading 16th start of the season and was withdrawn for the first time in her PWHL career. Backup Callie Shanahan made her second appearance of the season after her debut on January 20.
Marie-Philip Poulin was cut from Victoire’s roster for the first time this season and is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Erin Ambroseposted earlier today on LTIR, missed her second game of the season. Amanda Boulier And Tabin card served as alternate captains in their place.
Jincy Roese missed her first game of the season on the Sirens blue line due to illness.
THREE STARS
1. Ann-Renée Desbiens (MTL) 34/35 SV
2. Lina Ljungblom (MTL) 1G, 1A
3. Casey O’Brien (NY) 1G
STANDINGS
Montreal: 30 PTS (8-3-0-5) – 1st place (tied)
New York: 24 PTS (7-0-3-7) – 4th place
UPCOMING SCHEDULES
Montreal: Sunday, March 1 vs. Minnesota at 1:00 PM ET
New York: Thursday, March 5 vs. Boston at 7pm ET
CLICK HERE FOR STATISTICS
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