MONTRÉAL, QC (April 20, 2024) – Sarah Nurse scored the game-winning goal just 13 seconds into overtime, her second tally of the game, as Toronto beat Montréal 3-2 in front of a record-breaking crowd of 21,105 at the Duel at the Top presented by Rogers at the Bell Centre on Saturday afternoon.
Toronto entered the game needing one point to clinch a playoff position— they become the first team to punch their ticket to the postseason after securing two points for the overtime win.
Nurse’s first marker of the game came 40 seconds into the second frame and made the game 2-1. The goal was subject to video review for high-sticking after Nurse tipped the puck in front of the net, but it was deemed a good goal. Allie Munroe and Emma Maltais drew the assists on the play.
After regulation time ended tied 2-2, Nurse ended the game just 13 seconds into overtime with her seventh goal of the season.
It was Nurse who won the opening draw before Renata Fast entered the offensive zone with the puck. Maltais then won a puck battle along the boards and found Nurse at the top of the slot who wired a wrist-shot top corner over Ann-Renée Desbiens’ shoulder to win the game for the road team.
Montréal came out strong in the first period, putting 17 shots on net, but it was Toronto who got on the board first as captain Blayre Turnbull scored her third goal of the season.
Turnbull grabbed the rebound after linemate Natalie Spooner’s wrap-around attempt was thwarted. Toronto’s captain then put a shot on net from the top of the left circle which squeaked past Desbiens to make the game 1-0 at 9:43 of the first period.
Montréal broke through at 19:34 of the first period as Sarah Bujold scored her third goal of the season to tie the game 1-1.
Bujold received a cross-ice pass from Claire Dalton before making a toe-drag move around the Toronto defender — she then fired a wrist shot from the slot over Kristen Campbell’s blocker. Maureen Murphy drew the secondary assist on the play, her tenth helper of the season.
After Nurse’s first of the game gave Toronto a 2-1 lead in the second period, Montréal once again drew even on a late-period goal as Erin Ambrose scored with 26 seconds remaining in the middle frame with a powerplay tally.
Ambrose — who had four assists in Montréal’s previous game — ripped the puck over Campbell’s left shoulder after firing a quick shot from the point. Laura Stacey and Marie-Philip Poulin had the assists on the play. The trio has now combined for 13 points in the last two games, 10 of which have come on the powerplay.
Campbell made a season-high 37 saves to secure her PWHL-best 13th win of the season. Desbiens made 30 saves in the loss.
The sold-out crowd of 21,105 set a new world record for the highest attended women’s hockey game. The previous world record was set in February’s Battle on Bay Street when 19,285 fans packed Scotiabank Arena in a game also played by Toronto and Montréal.
Up next, Montréal continues their homestand as they host New York on Wednesday, April 24 at Verdun Auditorium. Then, on April 28, Toronto heads to UBS Arena to battle New York at 1:00 p.m. ET.
POSTGAME QUOTES:
Toronto forward Sarah Nurse: “I think when we all skated out there, we weren’t sure how we were going to be received. Obviously the crowds here in Montréal can definitely be tough on Toronto teams, so the support everywhere has been incredible. I never dreamed of playing at the Bell Centre, but that was one of the best experiences that I’ve ever had. We’re very grateful and it was a great game today.”
Toronto Head Coach Troy Ryan: “We’re trying to get ready for playoffs as well, and that’s how you win games in the playoffs. It’s no secret that we’re trying to get in front of Ann [Renée Desbiens] and try to take away her eyes on shots, but we’re also trying to protect Soupy [Kristen Campbell] when we can. Obviously, she [Campbell] played great tonight, and any shots that were maybe out of her range, a forward or defender got a shin pad or body in front of it and that’s how you have success in the playoffs.
NOTES:
- Attendance: 21,105 – Bell Centre, Montréal, QC.
- Three Stars: 1) Sarah Nurse 2) Kristen Campbell 3) Ann-Renée Desbiens
- Shots ended 39-33 in favour of Montréal — They led the category in the first (17-8) and third (10-9), but Toronto had the advantage in the second (15-12) and overtime (1-0).
- Nurse and Kristin O’Neill (MTL) led all players with seven shots each – Seven shots is a season-high for Nurse – O’Neill recorded seven for the second straight game.
- Natalie Spooner (TOR), Laura Stacey (MTL) and Mikyla Grant-Mentis (MTL) finished second with five shots.
- Montréal was 1/6 on the powerplay — Toronto was 0/4.
- Toronto remains undefeated in extra time— They are 4-0 in OT/SO games this season.
- With one point each in the game, Spooner and Poulin remain tied for first in PWHL scoring with 21 points each.
- This was Nurse’s second two-goal game of the season – She also scored two goals, including the overtime winner, on Feb. 27 in Minnesota – Her two overtime goals are tied with Alex Carpenter (NY) for the league-lead.
- This was Campbell’s third game of the season, and second game against Montréal, with more than 30 saves.
- Stacey, Erin Ambrose (MTL) and Emma Maltais (TOR) now sit in a five-way tie for seventh in league scoring with 15 points each.
- Ambrose’s fourth goal of the season is tied for the lead among defenders – She leads the position with 11 assists and 15 points.
- Maltais (2A) and Poulin (1A) now have 12 assists each on the season, which ties them for first in the category league-wide.
- Maltais extends her point streak to three games (4A).
- Poulin has 12 points in her last six games (2G, 10A).
- Toronto and Montréal have met five times this season, all at different venues (Verdun Auditorium, Scotiabank Arena, Mattamy Athletic Centre, PPG Paints Arena, Bell Centre).
- Toronto wins the season series between the two teams, going undefeated and finishing with a 13-2 advantage in points.
- Toronto (10-4-0-7) remains in first place with 38 points on the season, three more than Montréal and Minnesota — They are the first team to clinch a playoff berth.
- Montréal (8-3-5-5) collects one point for the overtime loss and now have 35 points on the season — They move into a tie for second place with Minnesota, who has a game in hand.
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