The Montréal Victoire will have to try again on Wednesday.
On Monday night, Montréal squandered their first chance at clinching the Walter Cup, falling 2-1 to the Ottawa Charge in Game 3. Montréal led with six minutes remaining in the third, but were unable to hold on, conceding twice through that final stretch. Montréal still lead the series 2-1 and will have another chance to close things out Wednesday.
Playoff (In)experience
Through three playoff appearances, this is the farthest the Victoire have ever made it. By head coach Kori Cheverie’s own admission, that inexperience showed on Monday night in the final frame.
“I think we need to manage the last 10 minutes better,” Cheverie said. “We’re a team that has never been in this situation before, so I think it’s completely understandable to play maybe a little bit less composed in those moments. Too many pucks went back onto their tape. We’ll take a look at it and see what we need to re-jig.”
On the other end of the ice, this is not the Charge’s first rodeo. After falling in four games to the Minnesota Frost in last year’s Cup Final, Ottawa knows what it’s like to come close and just miss out. For Montréal, it means recognizing that desperation from Ottawa and finding a way to match their compete in pivotal moments.
Closing it out
Montréal had a chance to put the series away on Monday, but couldn’t get it done. That being said, the Victoire were well aware of the challenge in front of them. Despite the late loss, Victoire forward Shiann Darkangelo shared the team is still confident they can put this one away next game.
“I think it’s playoff hockey,” she said. “Obviously coming into another team’s building isn’t going to be easy. They’re not going to hand you anything. So I think it’s just sticking to our details. We have a relentless group, we’ve shown it time and time again throughout the regular season and in playoffs.”
Asked what needs to be changed to get the job done, Cheverie echoed that it’s all about nailing the details in crucial moments.
“I like our game plan, it’s worked so far,” Cheverie said. “Like Shi said, it all comes down to the details and habits. … When you look at it that way, it’s less about what needs to change and more about where your attention and focus needs to be. I’m confident with this group, with what we’ve done all year and throughout the playoffs, that we’ll go into Wednesday and be as confident and resilient as we have been.”
Game 4 between the Montréal Victoire and Ottawa Charge is scheduled for Wednesday night at 7 p.m. ET from the Canadian Tire Centre.