In a thrilling display of professional women’s hockey, goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens and forward Marie-Philip Poulin led the Montreal Victoire to a shootout victory over the Toronto Sceptres. This historic match, which took place in Halifax, marked the first-ever game of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) in the city.

Desbiens, Poulin lead Victoire to shootout win over Sceptres in Halifax

Ann-Renée Desbiens delivered an exceptional performance with 35 saves, while Marie-Philip Poulin’s decisive goal in the shootout sealed the victory for the Montreal Victoire. The game took place in front of a sold-out crowd of nearly 10,438 spectators inside the Scotiabank Centre, who cheered on both teams with equal fervour.

Highlights of the Match

Maya Labad scored the only goal in the regulation period for Montreal, while Anna Kjellbin scored for Toronto. Despite an impressive 30 saves by Sceptres’ goalie Raygan Kirk, Montreal emerged victorious. The game marked the first of 16 neutral-site matchups in the PWHL’s Takeover Tour this season, with the next Halifax game scheduled on January 11.

Key Moments

Anna Kjellbin opened the scoring for the Sceptres in the first period, with Clara Van Wieren and Emma Woods assisting. However, Maya Labad levelled the score for Montreal with the help of Kaitlin Willoughby and Kati Tabin. The game was not without its dramatic moments, with Sceptres’ forward Emma Maltais’ overtime goal disallowed due to interference on Montreal’s Jessica DiGirolamo by Toronto defender Renata Fast.

Notable Names and Upcoming Games

The event was marked by the presence of several players and staff with connections to Nova Scotia, including Toronto’s Blayre Turnbull, Allie Munroe, and head coach Troy Ryan, as well as Victoire coach Kori Cheverie. The next games are set to see Victoire visit the Vancouver Goldeneyes on Saturday, while the Sceptres will face the New York Sirens on Sunday.

Data from Hockey Canada indicates that Atlantic Canada comprises 11 per cent of registered female hockey players across the country, further underlining the significance of this event for women’s hockey in the region.

In Conclusion

The Montreal Victoire’s exciting victory over the Toronto Sceptres is a testament to the thrilling competition and talent present in the Professional Women’s Hockey League. With this historic game in Halifax, the PWHL continues to expand its reach, showcasing the best of women’s hockey across the country.

Ethan Radcliffe

Ethan Radcliffe is a senior reporter and digital editor at The Toronto Insider, specializing in Canadian federal policy, GTA urban development, and national economic trends. With over a decade of experience in North American journalism, Ethan focuses on translating complex legislative and economic developments into clear, accessible reporting for Canadian readers. Ethan’s work emphasizes policy analysis, government accountability, and data-driven reporting, with a strong focus on how federal and provincial decisions impact communities across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. He has covered infrastructure planning, housing policy, fiscal strategy, and regulatory changes affecting Canadian households and businesses. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Journalism, Ethan brings expertise in investigative reporting, long-form analysis, editorial standards, and digital publishing best practices. His reporting is guided by verifiable sources, public records, and transparent sourcing. In addition to reporting, Ethan has experience in newsroom editing, fact-checking workflows, SEO-informed journalism, and audience analytics, ensuring stories meet both editorial integrity standards and modern digital discoverability requirements. Ethan is committed to objective, fact-driven journalism and adheres to established ethical guidelines, prioritizing accuracy, clarity, and public trust in all reporting.

See Full Bio