The Ottawa Cost are going to the Walter Cup closing to play for the Skilled Girls’s Hockey League championship.
Emily Clark’s third-period purpose proved to be the winner as Ottawa edged the Montreal Victoire 2-1 on Friday. The Cost gained the best-of-five semifinal sequence 3-1.
Ottawa, the third seed, will now face the defending champion Minnesota Frost, who defeated the Toronto Sceptres within the different semifinal. The ultimate begins Tuesday within the nation’s capital.
“Clearly, it is only one step on this journey that we have now of attempting to win a Walter Cup but it surely was an vital step, and it was a particular step,” stated Cost head coach Carla Macleod.
The Victoire got here into the sequence because the No. 1 seed however struggled to generate offence when it counted most. Montreal was outscored 9-6 by way of the sequence.
A devastated Marie-Philip Poulin struggled to search out the phrases for why her crew has been unable to search out playoff success. The Victoire had been swept by the Frost in final yr’s semifinal.
“This one hurts,” stated Poulin. “I feel we had a deep sufficient crew however sadly, as soon as once more, we won’t get previous the primary spherical. It hurts.
“I feel we will have to look within the mirror and see what we are able to do in a different way, how we are able to change and the way we are able to get higher.”
WATCH | Ottawa upsets Montreal:
Cost advance to PWHL Finals with Sport 4 win that eliminates Victoire
Ottawa is headed to the PWHL Finals for the primary time of their franchise’s historical past after a 2-1 victory over Montreal to win their semifinal sequence 3-1.
Goaltending key
Goaltending was key by way of the sequence and in the end rookie Gwyneth Philips, who made 19 saves, was higher than Ann-Renee Desbiens.
Ottawa native Rebecca Leslie opened the scoring on the two-minute mark of the primary to offer Ottawa the lead. Leslie scored her first of the playoffs off an Anna Meixner rebound that Desbiens, who stopped 20 pictures, had no probability on.
“I grew up a 67’s season seat member, so I have been to quite a lot of video games on this area, however I do not suppose I’ve ever seen so many followers or it’s so loud,” admitted Leslie. “So, it is really particular.”
Montreal generated possibilities on the facility play within the second interval however simply could not beat Philips.
“I feel the entire sequence has been a battle of the goaltenders,” stated Montreal coach Kori Cheverie. “And, , clearly we made a extremely good push till the top there, and we simply could not appear to discover a solution to get that little black rubber factor throughout the road. Simply could not rating.”
Ottawa prolonged its lead 31 seconds into the third interval when Clark made an ideal transfer to get round Poulin and drove to the web the place she despatched a shot to the highest nook.
Montreal challenged the purpose, saying there was a hand go on the play, but it surely stood and the Victoire had been assessed a penalty for the failed problem.
Montreal lower the lead in half with 5:02 remaining in regulation when Maureen Murphy drove to the web and beat Philips brief aspect.
“That one hurts as a result of she’s like my finest pal,” stated Philips.
Regardless of the push from Montreal, Philips and her teammates stated there was no panic from the crew.
“They’ve an incredible crew that gave a giant push,” stated Clark. “So for us to carry to that lead and do what we needed to do to get the win simply provides to our confidence.”
Montreal pulled Desbiens with two minutes remaining in regulation and was unable to get a shot by way of on Philips with Ottawa totally dedicated to doing no matter it took to carry on.
With the gang on its toes and cheering on the Cost, Montreal had one final probability with 6.8 seconds remaining however got here up brief.
“It felt longer than 6.8 seconds,” stated Clark with fun. “I imply we discuss on a regular basis about how particular it’s to play for Ottawa, and play in entrance of this group, and the final two video games, you simply get chills.”
