Abby Roque’s between-the-legs beauty lifts Victoire against her former team

Montréal Victoire's Abby Roque (11) scores on New York Sirens goaltender Kayle Osborne (82) during third period PWHL hockey action, in Laval, Que., on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press)

LAVAL — Abby Roque doesn’t practice between-the-legs dekes, or so she claims.

Try telling that to the 8,391 fans at Place Bell, or to New York Sirens goalie Kayle Osborne, who watched her pull one off in the Montreal Victoire’s home opener Tuesday.

Roque’s highlight-reel play in the third period capped a three-point night against her former team as the Victoire shut out the Sirens 4-0.

“I actually don’t think I’ve ever tried that in a game, or practised it, and I don’t know why I decided that was the moment,” Roque said. “And honestly, I was doing it and I was like, ‘This is stupid,’ and then it went in.”

Roque fended off New York’s Allyson Simpson before executing the move in a tight area to beat Osborne, but humbly said she “got lucky” on the goal. Her coach would beg to differ.

“Her goal was outstanding,” Victoire coach Kori Cheverie said. “Just to create something with the limited space that she had.

“That’s the type of player that she is. She’s very cerebral, she’s got a very high IQ and she’s constantly thinking about the game and strategizing.”

Roque, known for her mix of skill and grit, was one of New York’s three foundational signings ahead of the PWHL’s inaugural campaign two seasons ago.

A gold medallist for the United States at the 2023 world championship, the 28-year-old produced 30 points in 54 games for the Sirens, and said before this season that she hadn’t reached her ceiling in the PWHL.

The Sirens traded Roque to the Victoire on June 25 in exchange for forward Kristin O’Neill and Montreal’s fourth-round pick in the 2025 draft.

Roque didn’t know then that she would skate next to captain Marie-Philip Poulin and forward Laura Stacey on Montreal’s top line.

“You can hope,” said Roque, who also featured on the penalty kill.

The three forwards found chemistry Tuesday after Montreal (1-0-0-1) dropped its season-opener 2-0 to the host Boston Fleet on Sunday.

Poulin produced a goal and an assist, as last season’s league MVP became the first PWHL player to register 50 points. Stacey added two assists — including the setup on Roque’s beautiful goal.

And what does Roque add to the line?

“She has fire and I love that,” Poulin said. “The way she sees the game, there aren’t many players who see the game the way that she does. She wants to make a difference, she’s physical, she’s hard to play against, and that’s something that we wanted in Montreal.

“I’m really looking forward to how much we can mesh even more.”

Ovation for O’Neill

On the other end, O’Neill returned to a warm welcome in Montreal. The former Victoire centre received a loud ovation during a first-period video tribute — and ultimately stepped onto the ice to salute the crowd.

“I loved playing here in Montreal. I think it’s definitely a challenge, moving teams, and I felt really connected to the city and the fans,” she said. “But I’m really happy with where I’m at.”

Brick wall

Victoire netminder Ann-Renée Desbiens played a big role in Montreal’s win. She stopped 33 shots, including the save of the night in the first period.

Desbiens slid across her crease to deny Sirens forward Paetyn Levis, who pounced on a loose puck sitting before a wide-open net in the blue paint. It was only her second PWHL shutout and first since the league’s inaugural season.

“Outstanding again, just calmness in the crease,” Cheverie said. “It felt like she kind of saw everything.

‘She’s put together performances in the past where she probably deserved the zero on her end, and I’m glad that she got it (Tuesday)."

First goal

Natalie Mlynkova scored her first PWHL goal for the Victoire — but didn’t find out until much later. Erin Ambrose appeared to score the game’s opener with a wrist shot on the power play, but the goal was later awarded to Mlynkova.

But she didn’t feel it.

“I didn’t know. I actually didn’t even know they announced (the scoring change) later on until people started telling me. I had no idea,” she said. “I honestly didn’t feel it, or maybe I just blacked out in the moment.

“I was happy for her, and then she was happy for me.”

The 24-year-old from Czechia — who did get her hands on the puck she scored with — was blown away by the raucous player introductions at Place Bell.

“It did not hit the expectations, meaning it was something incredible,” the second-round draft pick said. “You really cannot explain what a player feels … It was definitely a game to remember.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2025.

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press