The Vancouver Goldeneyes defeated the Montreal Victoire 4-3 on Tuesday night in a thrilling Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) matchup.

Goldeneyes Take Early Lead

Sarah Nurse opened the scoring for the Goldeneyes, establishing a first-period lead. Vancouver continued to build their advantage, extending it to 4-0 midway through the third period.

Victoire Mounts Dramatic Comeback

Facing a significant deficit, Montreal head coach Kori Cheverie made a bold move, pulling goaltender Sandra Abstreiter with over seven minutes remaining in the game. This gamble initially paid off, as Hayley Scamurra scored three goals in a span of just two minutes and 44 seconds, bringing the score to 4-3.

Campbell Stands Tall

The final minutes were intense, with the Victoire relentlessly attacking. Vancouver’s Kristen Campbell proved pivotal, stopping 25 of 28 shots throughout the game and preserving the Goldeneyes’ lead.

Significance of the Victory

Despite being eliminated from playoff contention, the win is crucial for Vancouver’s draft positioning. The team is focused on securing the top spot in the draft and earning valuable “gold plan points.” Tereza Vanisova contributed with a goal and two assists, while Claire Thompson and Ashton Bell also scored for the Goldeneyes.

Looking Ahead for Both Teams

Montreal, currently leading the PWHL standings, is competing with the Boston Fleet for first place and the right to choose their semi-final opponent. They are using the remaining games to refine their strategies, particularly their 6-on-5 play. Nicole Gosling and Erin Ambrose were key contributors for the Victoire.

Jaques Reaches Milestone

Vancouver’s Sophie Jaques achieved a significant milestone, becoming the first PWHL blueliner to reach 50 points this season. Campbell emphasized the team’s focus on controlling what they could in the closing moments to secure the win, stating, “We just focused on what we could control.”