LAVAL (Interstat) — Hayley Scamurra scored twice and Ann-Renée Desbiens made 12 saves as the Montreal Victoire defeated the Vancouver Goldeneyes 3-0 in a Professional Women’s Hockey League game at Place Bell on April 1. Montreal improved to 17-7, while Vancouver fell to 8-16. The Victoire have won the first three meetings between the teams this season, including a 1-0 home victory and a 4-2 road win in the previous two matchups.

Scamurra opened the scoring at 8:28 of the third period, with Laura Stacey and Skylar Irving assisting. She added her second goal at 18:23, again from Stacey and Irving. Scamurra finished with four shots on goal and was Montreal’s top star. The goals came after a scoreless first two periods, with Scamurra’s first goal breaking the deadlock and her second giving the Victoire a two-goal cushion.

Maggie Flaherty capped the scoring at 19:18 of the third, with Jessica DiGirolamo and Shiann Darkangelo assisting. Flaherty had a goal, three shots on goal and two hits. Darkangelo added an assist and one shot, while DiGirolamo had an assist and two hits. Montreal’s late surge put the game out of reach. Desbiens completed the shutout with 12 saves on 12 shots.

Laura Stacey had two assists, one shot on goal and one hit. Skylar Irving also had two assists and one shot. Abby Roque recorded four shots on goal and one hit. Alexandra Labelle added three shots on goal. Erin Ambrose also appeared on Montreal’s blue line. Montreal’s balanced attack produced goals from Scamurra and Flaherty while keeping Vancouver off the scoreboard.

Vancouver was assessed four minor penalties. Izzy Daniel received a boarding penalty at 10:58 of the second period. Mannon McMahon was called for hooking at 12:42 of the first. Claire Thompson was whistled for tripping at 16:08 of the second and holding at 17:27 of the first. Montreal’s Lina Ljungblom was penalized for slashing at 19:43 of the first. Montreal killed off Vancouver’s lone power play, and the Victoire did not convert on their four power-play opportunities.

Montreal’s defense limited Vancouver’s chances throughout the night. Desbiens was rarely tested, but she stopped every shot she faced for the shutout. The Victoire blocked lanes and kept the Goldeneyes to the perimeter, forcing Vancouver to settle for low-percentage attempts. Vancouver’s lone power play came late in the first period after Ljungblom’s slashing call, but Montreal’s penalty kill held firm. The Goldeneyes were unable to generate sustained pressure in the offensive zone.

Vancouver entered the game after a 3-2 win at Toronto, but the Goldeneyes could not build on that result. Montreal had won two straight and three of four before the game. The Victoire controlled play at Place Bell and improved to 17-7. The Goldeneyes dropped to 8-16.

Montreal’s victory moved it to 17-7 and kept it among the league’s top teams. Vancouver’s record fell to 8-16. The Victoire have been consistent, winning three of their previous four games. The Goldeneyes have struggled to string together wins, though they had a recent road victory at Toronto. Montreal’s home performance at Place Bell was powered by penalty killing and a balanced attack.

Interstat’s ELO system had projected Montreal with a 64.4 percent probability to win. Montreal will next visit Ottawa, while Vancouver will visit Minnesota. The Victoire and Goldeneyes are set to meet again in Vancouver.