Montreal's Desbiens earns first PWHL shutout in 2-0 victory over Ottawa
Ann-Renee Desbiens posted the first shutout of her Professional Women's Hockey League career in Montreal's 2-0 win over host Ottawa on Saturday.
Desbiens, who backstopped Canada to a gold medal in the world championship final earlier this month, stopped all 28 shots she faced.
Laura Stacey and Maureen Murphy scored for Montreal (10-3-5-5), which had a playoff spot secured in the PWHL's inaugural season.
Ottawa’s Emerance Maschmeyer, the No. 2 goalie on the Canadian team, turned away 21 shots.
A playoff spot remained in Ottawa’s (8-1-6-6) reach with two games remaining in its regular season.
The loss in front of an announced 8,452 at TD Place snapped a four-game win streak for Ottawa, which played its final home game of the regular season Saturday.
Trailing 1-0, Ottawa came out flying in the third looking for the equalizer.
They outshot Montreal 9-1 by the halfway mark of the period, but were unable to beat Desbiens.
Hayley Scamurra had two great chances in front and couldn’t beat a sprawled Desbiens.
Ottawa's Savannah Harmon appeared to score with 5:58 remaining, but it was waived off upon review for goalie interference.
Montreal made it 2-0 when Melodie Daoust fed Murphy in the slot with 1:48 remaining.
After a solid first period, Ottawa struggled in the second when it was outshot 10-2 and gave up the opening goal.
Montreal took a 1-0 lead off a turnover by Aneta Teiralova that led to Stacey stepping in for a one-timer from the slot at 3:13 for her 10th goal of the season.
Montreal was unable to capitalize on three power-play chances in the first period, due in great part Maschmeyer's efforts.
Ottawa also had a couple of chances on a power play, but Desbiens made great saves from close range.
The game was the first between the two teams since Ottawa acquired Czech forward Tereza Vanisova from Montreal in exchange for Amanda Boulier.
Up next
Ottawa is on the road against New York on Tuesday.
Montreal visits Boston on Saturday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 27, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city, marking the first franchise in Canada
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Federal government bans watercraft from Manitoba lake popular with tourists
The threat of zebra mussels has prompted the federal government to temporarily ban watercraft from a Manitoba lake popular with tourists.
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.