Desbiens makes 11 third-period saves, backstops Victoire to win over Sceptres

Montreal Victoire's Kati Tabin (9) celebrates with teammates Shiann Darkangelo (27), Maggie Flaherty (91) and Natalie Mlynkova (96) after scoring against the Toronto Sceptres during first period PWHL hockey action in Laval, Que. Sunday, December 7, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

Ann-Renée Desbiens made 20 saves, including 11 in the third period, as the Montréal Victoire defeated the Toronto Sceptres 3-1 in Professional Women’s Hockey League action Sunday afternoon at Place Bell.

Kati Tabin, Hayley Scamurra, and Laura Stacey scored for the Victoire (2-0-0-1), who won their second straight game.

Raygan Kirk made 27 saves for Toronto (2-0-0-2). Emma Gentry scored her first career PWHL goal in the loss.

Tabin opened the scoring at 8:38 of the first period when her shot from the point made it through traffic and Raygan Kirk for her first goal of the season.

Montreal appeared to double its lead with under eight minutes remaining in the first period when Marie-Philip Poulin redirected a pass into the net, but it was ruled to be a kick and was disallowed after a review.

The Victoire had another chance to open up their lead with 1:35 of a five-on-three power play early in the second period, but were unable to capitalize.

The Victoire eventually went up 2-0 early in the second period when Scamurra’s centring pass hit Toronto defender Kali Flanagan and went past Kirk. It was Scamurra’s first goal of the season.

Scamurra signed with Montreal in the off-season and was playing against Toronto for the first time since playing 19 games with them last season.

Toronto got on the board 1:36 into the third period when Gentry fired a shot over Desbiens’ shoulder. Stacey responded a few minutes later to restore Montreal’s two-goal lead.

Takeaways

Sceptres: Toronto allowed a shorthanded goal after killing eight straight penalties to start the season

Victoire: Despite not playing since Nov. 25, Montreal came out and opened a 12-3 shot advantage in the first period, and kept that momentum going in the win.

Key moment

Toronto had a full two minutes at five-on-three early in the third because of three back-to-back penalties taken by the Victoire. They were unable to score, and Desbiens made five saves, including a big stop on Ella Shelton.

Key stat

This is the first of three games between Montreal and Toronto, in three different arenas. The two teams will meet on Dec. 17 in Halifax as part of the PWHL’s Takeover Tour and again on Dec. 27 at the Bell Centre.

Up next

Victoire: Face the Sceptres on Wednesday, Dec. 17 in Halifax

Sceptres: Face the Victoire on Wednesday, Dec. 17 in Halifax

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 7, 2025.

Jared Book, The Canadian Press