Ella Huber scored 1:33 into overtime to complete a miraculous comeback, lifting the Boston Fleet to a 4-3 victory over the Montreal Victoire in a clash of PWHL titans, while Montreal’s superstar Marie-Philip Poulin suffered a concerning knee injury that threatens to redefine the season’s trajectory.
The Boston Fleet’s identity as the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s most resilient team was forged in the fire of a stunning Sunday showdown in Laval, Quebec. Trailing 3-0 late in the second period against the formidable Montreal Victoire, the Fleet mounted a charge for the ages, culminating in Ella Huber’s heroics 1:33 into overtime to secure a 4-3 win, a result that reverberates far beyond a single game.
This was not merely a victory; it was a statement of championship mettle. With the win, Boston (9-5-2-3) solidified its grip on first place, now sitting three points clear of Montreal (9-4-1-5) with two games in hand. The comeback itself—erasing a three-goal deficit in less than 25 minutes of game time—is the largest in the PWHL season to date, underscoring a never-say-die ethos that could define a playoff runas tracked by the Associated Press women’s hockey hub.
The game’s narrative pivoted on a sequence of events that would define both teams’ seasons. Montreal, playing without suspended forward Abby Roque early, seized control on the power play when Marie-Philip Poulin, the league’s transcendent star and Victoire captain, tipped a shot from Abby Roque past Boston goaltender Aerin Frankel to open the scoring with 5:10 left in the first period. Just over two minutes later, disaster struck for Montreal: Poulin, appearing to reinjure her right knee—a previous issue that cost her significant time earlier this season—left the play and did not return. Her replacement, Kati Tabin, capitalized immediately, blasting a one-timer past Frankel to make it 2-0, a goal that came just 1:10 after Poulin’s exit.
The second period saw Montreal extend their lead when Abby Roque beat Frankel with 3:02 remaining, seemingly putting the game out of reach at 3-0. But the Fleet, fueled by the desperation of a team protecting its top seed, unleashed a third-period barrage that exposed the Victoire’s defensive depth and the pressure of playing without their emotional and strategic catalyst, Poulin.
- 6:01 into the third period: Loren Gabel converted for her first goal of the season, finally solving Montreal netminder Ann-Renee Desbiens.
- 2:34 remaining: Defenseman Megan Keller, a cornerstone of Boston’s blue line, doubled the lead to 3-2, pulling the Fleet within one.
- With 14.8 seconds left and Frankel pulled: Susanna Tapani fired a shot that beat Desbiens clean, sending the game to overtime and completing the improbable three-goal rally.
Keller’s two-assist night and Alina Muller’s playmaking were critical, but the defining image belongs to Ella Huber. Her overtime winner, a precise finish after a sustained offensive pressure, not only sealed the historic comeback but also highlighted the depth of scoring that makes Boston a legitimate championship favorite. For her part, Desbiens made 22 saves for Montreal, but the final 20 minutes of game time saw the Victoire’s structure collapse under the Fleet’s relentless forecheck, a symptom of the void left by Poulin’s absence.
The shadow of Poulin’s injury looms largest over this result. While initial reports were cautious, the visual of the sport’s biggest star needing assistance off the ice is a chilling development for Montreal’s aspirations. The Victoire’s path to a championship has always been intrinsically linked to Poulin’s health and availability; her potential absence for any extended period transforms Montreal from a top-tier contender to a team fighting for relevanceper season-long coverage by the Associated Press.
Fan theory and speculation now center on the severity of Poulin’s knee issue and Montreal’s ability to compensate. The Victoire’s system is built around her two-way excellence and clutch scoring. Without her, the burden falls even more heavily on players like Abby Roque (goal, two assists) and the blue line, which was pressured relentlessly by Boston’s speed in the third period. The upcoming schedule offers no respite: Montreal hosts the Seattle Torrent on Thursday, a game that will test their depth in a way they had hoped to avoid.
For the Fleet, the win is a double-edged sword. They gain crucial points and the immense confidence of knowing they can beat any team, even after a terrible start. However, they also absorb the reality that to win a championship, they may need to navigate a playoff series against a Montreal team at less than full strength—a scenario that carries its own psychological weight and potential backlash. Their next test, hosting the Toronto Sceptres on Tuesday, is an opportunity to build momentum while their rivals grapple with crisis.
The final horn on this game did not just change the standings; it altered the PWHL’s power dynamics in an instant. The Boston Fleet proved they are built for moments like this. The Montreal Victoire now faces an urgent, unwanted test of its championship resolve. The immediate future of the league’s most compelling rivalry hinges on an MRI and a rehabilitation timeline. The only certainty is that the narrative of this season has shifted, and it shifted on the strength of a Uber’s quick release and a captain’s uncertain walk to the locker room.
For the fastest, most authoritative analysis of breaking sports news and what it means for the teams and players you follow, onlytrustedinfo.com delivers the insight you need, when you need it. Trust our team for the definitive perspective on the stories shaping the game.
