Abby Roque’s highlight-reel goal leads the way
Abby Roque had three points, including a highlight-reel between-the-legs goal, as the Montreal Victoire earned their first win of the season, 4-0, over the New York Sirens on Tuesday night at Place Bell.
Roque, acquired at the PWHL Draft from New York was playing her first home game in Montreal as well as her first game against her former team. It was Roque’s sixth career multi-point game in the PWHL.
“I actually don’t think I’ve ever tried that in a game or practiced it,” Roque said. “I don’t know why I decided that was the moment. Honestly, I was doing it, and I was like, ‘This is stupid.’ And then it went in. So I got lucky.”
“We’re able to use Abby in a lot of different situations,” said Montreal head coach Kori Cheverie. “The fact that her and Pou (Marie-Philip Poulin) kind of switch off at the centre position, depending on who’s winning against certain centres, is really helpful too. Her goal was outstanding, just to create something with the limited space that she had, but that’s the type of player that she is. She’s very cerebral. She’s got a very high IQ, and she’s constantly thinking about the game and strategizing, and she’s the one pulling people in to talk about different ways to handle certain situations. And I thought she did really well on the kill as well. For us to keep adding power play players, but also killers, is really helpful for our overall game.”
Ann-Renée Desbiens made 33 saves for her second career shutout, and first since the inaugural 2024 season. Laura Stacey added two assists, while Marie-Philip Poulin – the third member of the line – had a goal and an assist herself.
Montreal came out with a much stronger start than in their opening game, opening an 8-1 edge in shots and getting the better scoring chances.
New York’s best scoring chance came midway through the period when a loose puck made its way towards the empty side of the net but Desbiens stretched out her left pad to keep the puck out.
Laura Stacey appeared to score the game’s first goal at the 12:38 mark, but the official behind the net instantly ruled no goal for a kicking motion. After review by the PWHL’s Central Situation room, the call on the ice stood.
Both teams had power plays in the first period, but were unable to score.
Montreal took advantage of a carry-over power play early in the second period. Thirty seconds into the period, Erin Ambrose’s shot was tipped by rookie Natálie Mlýnková, who scored her first career PWHL goal. She was the fourth forward on the first power play unit, joining the top line of Stacey, Poulin, and Roque.
The goal was originally credited to Ambrose, but changed to Mlýnková.
“I didn’t know,” she said. “I actually didn’t even know they announced it later on until people started telling me. I had no idea [I touched the puck]. I think sometimes those things happen too fast.”
A few minutes later, after several Desbiens saves, New York had a goal disallowed of their own also for a kicking motion. Kayla Vespa was the one who seemed to put the puck in, but the score remained 1-0.
It would stay that way until 1:15 remaining in the period. Roque sprung Stacey, who was joined on a two-on-one with Poulin. Stacey found her wife with the pass, and although Osborne got across, Poulin was able to sneak the puck past her.
Roque’s between-the-legs goal gave Montreal a 3-0 lead at 13:26 of the third period, and Maggie Flaherty added an empty netter with 10 seconds remaining to give Montreal a 4-0 lead.
Notes
- Kristin O’Neill, the player Montreal traded to acquire Roque was given a tribute video and saluted the crowd in the first period of Tuesday’s game.
- Montreal now has 12 days off before hosting the Toronto Sceptres on December 7.
Full Highlights
