The Montréal Victoire are just one win away from clinching the Walter Cup.
Montréal took a 2-0 series lead in the Walter Cup Final on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Ottawa Charge 2-1 in overtime. Maggie Flaherty had the game-winner for Montréal, burying a cross-ice feed from captain Marie-Philip Poulin.
Here are some key takeaways from Game 2.
Overtime Magic
For the second game in a row, overtime was needed between these two teams. And after a somewhat sluggish third period, both teams came out hot in the extra period, with end-to-end action.
After a huge save from Ann-Renée Desbiens on one end of the ice, the Victoire worked together to set up the pass from Poulin to Flaherty that ultimately sealed the win. Speaking after the game, Poulin shared how the whole sequence showed the best of what the Victoire can do.
“Honestly, it was an all-around great team effort,” said Poulin. “It started from [Desbiens], amazing save there. Then [Willoughby] saw we were changing, she rimmed it. A very smart rim where Abby picked it up, put it into space … then heard Maggie screaming a little bit, saw her out of the corner of my eye. And when you get Maggie in the slot, she knows where to put it.”
Kati Tabin
Montréal’s sole regulation goal on Saturday came from defender Kati Tabin. Playing at 4-on-4, Tabin took advantage of a face-off win from Marie-Philip Poulin, and flipped the puck backhand over the shoulder of Gwyneth Philips. It was the 29-year-old’s first career PWHL playoff goal, and second point of this postseason.
“I just love that she had that aggressive play,” said Cheverie. “I think she probably felt like, hey, I want to make a difference here, I want to have an impact. She saw it, she went with it, I thought it was a great decision by her.”
Meanwhile, Flaherty had her own perspective on Tabin’s move.
“I have seen it in practice a couple of times, but I think that was the best executed one,” Flaherty said, laughing. “A lot of whiffs … but when it counts, it counts.”
Both of Montréal’s goals on Saturday came from blue liners, something that has been a strength of the team’s this season.
One Win From Walter
After two games at home, the Victoire now have a 2-0 series lead as they hit the road. While they’re in a good position, Cheverie is under no illusions about how hard it will be to close out this series and clinch the Cup.
“It feels good, but I know that the third puck is gonna be the hardest puck,” Cheverie said. “That’s what we’re focused on right now. The girls are allowed to be happy until puck drop of the Habs tonight, and then we move on.”
Game 3 is scheduled for Monday night at 6 p.m. ET from Ottawa’s Canadian Tire Centre.