ST. PAUL (Interstat) — Marie-Philip Poulin scored 3:03 into overtime and Ann-Renée Desbiens made 23 saves as Montreal Victoire defeated Minnesota Frost 2-1 in a Professional Women’s Hockey League game at Grand Casino Arena on Jan. 21. Poulin’s winner was assisted by Abby Roque. Desbiens, a 5-foot-9 goaltender from Clermont, Canada, stopped 23 of 24 shots and was named Montreal’s top star. Montreal improved to 8-5, while Minnesota fell to 7-6. The game was completed in overtime after Minnesota tied it late in regulation.

Montreal and Minnesota played a scoreless first period before the game’s only penalty. Minnesota center Katy Knoll received a 2-minute minor for interference at 8:52 of the second period. Montreal broke through late in the second when Maureen Murphy scored at 18:29, with assists from Nicole Gosling and Skylar Irving. Murphy, a 5-foot-4 right wing, finished with one goal and three shots. Gosling, a 5-foot-6 left defenseman, had one assist, two shots and one hit. Irving, a 5-foot right wing, added one assist and one shot. Montreal carried a one-goal lead into the third.

Minnesota pressed for an equalizer and finally found one in the closing seconds of regulation. Kelly Pannek scored at 18:58 of the third period, with Kendall Coyne Schofield and Taylor Fox assisting. Pannek, a 5-foot-7 center, recorded one goal and two shots. Fox, a 5-foot-10 center, finished with one assist and four shots. Coyne Schofield, a 5-foot-2 left wing, added one assist and three shots. The goal forced overtime and shifted the game’s momentum briefly to the home side.

In overtime, Poulin needed little time to end it. The Montreal captain, listed at 5-foot-7, scored at 3:03 with Roque assisting. Poulin finished with one goal, two shots and two hits. Roque, a 5-foot-7 left wing, had one assist and two shots. Shiann Darkangelo, a 5-foot-11 center for Montreal, contributed two shots. Desbiens and the Victoire defense held off Minnesota after the goal, preserving the road victory. Minnesota’s best chances in the extra period came from a pressing attack, but Desbiens remained steady in net.

The result gave Montreal a second overtime win against Minnesota this season. Montreal had also beaten the Frost in overtime earlier in the season. Montreal entered the game after a road loss to New York, while Minnesota came in after an overtime win at New York. The Victoire next host Ottawa, and the Frost next host New York. The teams are scheduled to meet twice more in March, first in Montreal and later in Minnesota. Montreal’s upcoming schedule also includes games against Toronto, Boston, Seattle and New York, while Minnesota is set to face Vancouver, Toronto, Seattle, Ottawa, Montreal and Boston.

Montreal improved to 8-5 with the overtime victory. The Victoire have also beaten Toronto and Minnesota in extra time this season. Minnesota’s 7-6 record includes overtime wins against New York and Vancouver. The Frost also beat Seattle 6-2 at home earlier in the season. Before facing Minnesota, Montreal had won six of its previous 10 games. Minnesota had also won six of its previous 10 games entering the matchup. The teams’ previous meeting this season also required overtime, with Montreal winning 3-2. Montreal will host Ottawa and Toronto in its next two games. Minnesota will host New York and Vancouver in its next two games.

Montreal’s victory came despite Minnesota being the pregame favorite. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Minnesota with a 58.1 percent probability to win. That projection did not hold as Montreal won in overtime. Desbiens’ 23-save performance and Poulin’s overtime goal proved decisive for the Victoire, who moved above .500 for the season. Minnesota remained close to .500 after the overtime loss.