HALIFAX (Interstat) — Ann-Renée Desbiens made 35 saves and the Montreal Victoire defeated the Toronto Sceptres 2-1 in overtime on Dec. 17 at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, NS. Desbiens, a 5-foot-9 goaltender from Clermont, Canada, stopped 35 of 36 shots and was named Montreal’s top star. Montreal improved to 3-1, while Toronto fell to 2-3. The Professional Women’s Hockey League game was the second meeting of the season between the teams, following Montreal’s 3-1 home victory in the most recent matchup.

Toronto opened the scoring at 3:26 of the first period when Anna Kjellbin scored, with Clara Van Wieren and Emma Woods drawing assists. Kjellbin, a 5-foot-7 defender, finished with one goal, two shots on goal and one hit. Kjellbin’s goal was the only Toronto goal. Woods and Van Wieren each finished with one assist. Toronto put 36 shots on Desbiens, who turned aside 35 of them.

Montreal answered at 12:16 of the first period when Maya Labad scored, assisted by Kaitlin Willoughby and Kati Tabin. Labad, a left wing, recorded one shot on goal. Tabin, a 5-foot-8 defender, added three shots on goal. Willoughby, a 5-foot-6 forward, contributed one assist, one shot and one hit. Alexandra Labelle, a 5-foot-7 center, added two shots on goal and one hit for the Victoire. Labad’s goal was her only point of the game.

The first period ended tied 1-1. The second period was scoreless. The third period was scoreless, sending the game to overtime. Toronto’s Clair DeGeorge was assessed a two-minute boarding penalty at 10:27 of the second period. Emma Maltais received a hooking penalty at 13:52, and Emma Gentry was called for interference at 17:01. Maltais also was penalized for slashing at 19:27 of the first period. The Sceptres were called for five penalties overall, all two-minute minors, including one in overtime. Montreal was not assessed a penalty in the game, so Toronto did not have a power play. Toronto was shorthanded five times.

In the extra period, Toronto’s Renata Fast received a two-minute interference penalty at 2:27. Montreal then secured the extra point and completed the overtime win. Montreal scored once in the first period and once in overtime. Toronto scored once in the first period. Montreal’s victory followed a 3-1 win over Toronto in their previous meeting, a 4-0 home win over New York and a 2-0 road loss to Boston. Toronto entered the game after a 3-1 loss at Montreal, a 3-1 home win over Ottawa, a 3-1 home loss to Boston and a 2-1 road win at Minnesota. Montreal has won both meetings between the teams this season. Toronto has lost both. The Victoire’s win was their third of the season. The Sceptres’ loss was their third.

Kali Flanagan led Toronto with six shots on goal. Raygan Kirk made 30 saves in the Toronto net. Desbiens’s 35 saves were the most by either goaltender. Montreal’s upcoming schedule includes games at Vancouver and Seattle, a home game against Toronto, a road game at New York, a home game against Minnesota, a home game against Vancouver in Quebec, a home game against Ottawa, a road game at New York in Washington, a road game at Minnesota and a home game against Ottawa. Toronto’s upcoming schedule includes games at New York, a home game against Ottawa, a road game at Montreal, a home game against Minnesota, a home game against Seattle in Hamilton, a home game against New York, a road game at Boston, a home game against Vancouver, a road game at Seattle and a road game at Vancouver.

Interstat’s ELO system had projected Montreal with a 51.2 percent probability to win before the game.