Montreal Victoire defeated the Minnesota Frost 2-1 [1] in Game 3 [2] of the PWHL semifinal playoff series on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
The victory puts Montreal in a stronger position to advance toward the championship, shifting the momentum of the series in their favor.
The game was decided by a sudden offensive burst in the second period. Maggie Flaherty and Hayley Scamurra scored goals just 24 seconds apart [1], creating a critical lead that Montreal maintained for the remainder of the contest.
Defensive stability played a primary role in securing the win. Goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens recorded 27 saves [1] to keep the Frost from equalizing as the clock ran down.
The matchup is part of a high-stakes semifinal bracket where Montreal, the first-place seed, faced the third-place Minnesota team [4]. This specific victory allows the Victoire to pull ahead in the series standings as they compete for a spot in the finals.
While Minnesota attempted to mount a comeback, the efficiency of the Montreal defense and the quick-strike scoring combination of Flaherty and Scamurra proved decisive. The game highlights the narrow margins of error in playoff hockey, where a matter of seconds can determine the outcome of a game [1].
“Montreal Victoire defeated the Minnesota Frost 2-1”
This result shifts the series leverage to Montreal, demonstrating their ability to capitalize on short windows of opportunity. By securing Game 3, the Victoire validate their first-place seeding and put the Minnesota Frost in a position where they must win consecutively to avoid elimination from the PWHL playoffs.
