LAVAL (Interstat) — Ann-Renée Desbiens made 24 saves and Montreal Victoire scored three times in the second period to beat Seattle Torrent 4-1 in a Professional Women’s Hockey League game at Place Bell in Laval, Quebec. Montreal improved to 19-7. Seattle fell to 7-18.

Montreal opened the scoring at 2:28 of the second period when Natálie Mlýnková converted from Alexandra Labelle and Lina Ljungblom. Laura Stacey made it 2-0 at 3:43, scoring with assists from Ljungblom and Nicole Gosling. The quick strike gave the Victoire control and forced Seattle to play from behind. Montreal’s early pressure produced the first two goals of the game and set the tone for the middle period.

Seattle answered at 9:53 of the second. Theresa Schafzahl scored from Hilary Knight and Lyndie Lobdell to cut the lead to 2-1. The Torrent’s momentum was brief. Skylar Irving restored Montreal’s two-goal advantage at 11:55, scoring with help from Maggie Flaherty and Desbiens. Montreal carried a 3-1 lead into the third period. The Irving goal came after Seattle had drawn within one and gave the Victoire breathing room.

Desbiens was steady in net and finished with 24 saves on 25 shots. She earned the win and was Montreal’s top star. Her assist on Irving’s goal added an unusual offensive touch to a strong goaltending performance. Seattle managed only Schafzahl’s goal and could not beat Desbiens again. Desbiens’ 24 saves helped Montreal protect its lead through the final period.

Montreal sealed the result at 19:48 of the third period when Shiann Darkangelo scored from Abby Roque and Kati Tabin. Darkangelo finished with a goal on three shots. Stacey also had a goal on three shots. Mlýnková recorded a goal, four shots and two penalty minutes. Irving added a goal on two shots. Ljungblom contributed two assists, one shot and one hit. Tabin had one assist, two shots, two penalty minutes and one hit. Roque recorded one assist and one shot. Gosling had one assist, three shots and one hit. Schafzahl led Seattle with a goal on three shots. Alexandra Labelle and Maggie Flaherty also recorded assists.

Penalties disrupted the flow at several points. Montreal was called for too many players at 2:57 of the first period. Seattle’s Anna Wilgren went off for tripping at 3:28 of the second. Mlýnková received a holding minor at 5:50 of the second, and Seattle was whistled for too many players at 7:19 of the second. Wilgren returned to the box for cross checking at 6:48 of the third. Montreal’s Tabin was sent off for a two-minute hit to the head at 11:38 of the third. Each team had three power-play chances and neither converted.

Montreal’s defense limited Seattle after the opening period. The Torrent’s only goal came from Schafzahl, and Seattle could not build enough pressure to challenge Desbiens and the Victoire blue line. Montreal got goals from Mlýnková, Stacey, Irving and Darkangelo, while Ljungblom, Gosling, Roque and Tabin provided assists. The Victoire also received an assist from Desbiens, a rare point for a goaltender.

Seattle’s record moved to 7-18, while Montreal’s improved to 19-7. The Torrent were coming off a shootout loss at New York Sirens and continued a difficult stretch. Montreal had won its previous games against Ottawa Charge and Vancouver Goldeneyes before adding another victory at Place Bell. Montreal has now won five straight games. Seattle has dropped three of its past four.

The most recent head-to-head meeting before this one also ended with Montreal winning 4-1. Seattle won the earlier season meeting 2-1. The teams are scheduled to meet again in Seattle later in the season. Seattle is scheduled to visit Ottawa Charge next. Montreal is set to visit Boston Fleet next.

Interstat’s ELO system projected Montreal with a 67.5 percent probability to win before the game.