Toronto edges Montreal to prevent Victoire from clinching PWHL playoff berth
Sceptres' Natalie Spooner scores eventual game-winner in middle frame
Natalie Spooner's second-period goal proved to be the winner as the Toronto Sceptres edged the Montreal Victoire 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Place Bell.
Kristin Campbell stopped 32 shots for the Sceptres as she won her eighth game of the season and second in as many contests. Toronto has yet to lose in regulation this month and improved to 3-0-1-0 in March.
Marie-Philip Poulin scored her league-leading 15th goal of the season late in the third for Montreal (10-6-3-6). The Victoire lost its third straight game but for just the first time in regulation since a 4-1 defeat to the Sceptres on March 6.
It marks the team's longest losing streak of the season.
WATCH | Sceptres' Natalie Spooner is mic'd up:
Elaine Chuli stopped 18 shots for the Victoire. The Waterford, Ont., native started in place of Ann-Renee Desbiens, who suffered a left knee injury in Montreal's 3-2 shootout loss in Boston against the Fleet on Tuesday. Desbiens leads the PWHL in wins (13), goals-against average (1.85) and save percentage (.932).
The Sceptres welcomed back forward Sarah Nurse to their lineup after she was activated from long-term injured reserve before the game. She collected an assist and had two shots on goal in 13 minutes 55 seconds of ice-time in her return.
The 30-year-old had missed Toronto's last nine games with a lower-body injury sustained while representing Canada during the Rivalry Series on Feb. 6.
