The Montreal Victory’s impressive six-game winning streak came to an abrupt halt on Tuesday night as they suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat against the Minnesota Frost. The game, played in front of 6,696 fans at Place Bell, marked the first time in franchise history that the Victory was shut out at home.
Key Highlights of the Game
First Period: Frost Strikes Early
- Liz Schepers opened the scoring for Minnesota with just 77 seconds left in the first period.
- Schepers deflected a shot from defender Claire Thompson, leaving Montreal’s goalie Elaine Chuli with no chance to save it.
- Despite the goal, Chuli made several key saves, including stops against Schepers and Grace Zumwinkle in the final minutes of the period.
- Montreal’s best chance came from Dara Greig, who missed a backhand shot on a two-on-one opportunity.
Second Period: Frost Extends Lead
- Montreal struggled to generate offense, managing only two shots in the first half of the period.
- Kendall Coyne Schofield doubled Minnesota’s lead at 10:43, deflecting a wrist shot from Sophie Jaques.
- By the end of the second period, Montreal had only 12 shots on goal, reflecting their lack of urgency and energy.
Third Period: Frost Seals the Win
- Montreal failed to capitalize on a power play opportunity midway through the period.
- Denisa Krizova scored Minnesota’s third goal, deflecting a pass from Dominique Petrie with just over five minutes remaining.
- Krizova added an empty-net goal in the final 20 seconds, sealing the 4-0 victory for Minnesota.
Key Takeaways
- Elaine Chuli made 24 saves but received little offensive support from her team.
- Montreal was limited to just 21 shots on goal against Minnesota’s Maddie Rooney, who earned a shutout.
- The loss ended Montreal’s six-game winning streak and marked their first shutout defeat at home.
What’s Next for Montreal Victory?
Montreal will look to bounce back in their next game on Saturday, February 22, against the Ottawa Charge. The team will need to regroup and address their low-energy performance to regain their winning form.
Why This Loss Matters
- Historic Shutout: This was the first time Montreal was shut out at home, a significant moment in the team’s history.
- End of a Streak: The six-game winning streak was a highlight of the season, making this loss particularly disappointing.
- Minnesota’s Comeback: The Frost snapped their three-game losing streak with a dominant performance.
References:
- Game statistics and details sourced from official league reports.
- Player performance insights from post-game analysis.
This loss serves as a wake-up call for the Montreal Victory as they prepare for their next challenge. Fans will be eager to see how the team responds and whether they can reignite their winning momentum.
