The Montreal Force players made a brief trip to the North Shore, beating the Connecticut Whale 4-3 in the first of two games at the Conrad-Parent Arena in Sept-Îles on Saturday.
Complementing this special visit from the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) club, local hero Ann-Sophie Bettez scored the winning goal on penalties. The 35-year-old veteran also received a standing ovation from fans when she arrived on the ice.
Earlier, Catherine Daoust lifted the crowd by leveling the score with just 2 minutes and 27 seconds in the third leg.
The Whale made it difficult for the Force to take a 2-0 lead early in the second period. Quebec’s representatives scored twice to level the game. Kristina Shanahan and Christine Deaudelin scored, each assisted by Taylor Baker.
However, Kennedy Marchment had put the whale back in the driver’s seat in the third period ahead of Daoust’s net.
The Connecticut players showed plenty of indiscipline in this game, being guilty of eight penalties, including a five-minute major. The power once answered the power play.
All of this resulted in goalkeeper Tricia Deguire not being tested much. She stood up to 16 shots for the win, the Force’s third in five games.
The two teams meet again on Sunday at the same place on TVA Sports.