Poulin's 3-point outing leads PWHL-best Montreal past Boston for 3rd win in 4 games

Mélodie Daoust was in fine form for her Professional Women's Hockey League debut as host Montreal beat Boston 3-1 in front of a crowd of 3,232 at Verdun Auditorium on Saturday afternoon.

The three-time Olympian made her debut on the first line alongside Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey. The 32-year-old forward from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que., has been on the team's reserve player list until signing a 10-day Standard Player Agreement before Saturday's contest. Her stellar performance was good enough to earn the game's first star.

"It was incredible to see the atmosphere as I stepped onto the ice and I think I had chills after my first goal as the fans started cheering," said Daoust after the game. "It feels good and it was fun to be able to do that here in Montreal."

WATCH l Daoust scores in PWHL debut:

Daoust scores in 1st PWHL game as Montreal beats Boston

9 months ago

Duration 0:54

Mélodie Daoust, who recently signed a 10-day PWHL contract, scores the game-winning goal in Montreal's 3-1 win over Boston.

Montreal (6-3-3-2) got on the scoreboard first as captain Poulin scored her seventh of the season, unassisted but off a rebound from Daoust at 3:51 of the first.

It was sort of a homecoming for Daoust and Poulin, who have had more than a few opportunities to build chemistry over their playing career, both with the Canadian National team and in the former Canadian Women's Hockey League.

'Strong chemistry'

Daoust scored her first PWHL goal, assisted by Poulin, to put Montreal up 2-0 early into the second.

Safe to say that chemistry has not fizzled out between the two, and Stacey's speed and forechecking help to round out the line.

"Marie-Philip and I have played a lot together in the past with Team Canada and I feel like we have strong chemistry on the ice, and not to forget Laura who works hard on that forecheck like you wouldn't believe," said Daoust.

"I don't think we give her enough credit, but she's the one who feeds us the puck so we can make these plays. It was fun to find each other on the first line again."

Despite being away from professional action for quite some time as she's put family first, she was quick to find her footing. Her son was in the stands watching it all happen.

Montreal head coach Kori Cheverie wasn't at all worried about Daoust's ability to perform headed into Saturday's game, but noted that the decision to play her on the first line alongside those familiar faces was a good way to set her up for success.

"I don't think that there was pressure on her in any way to come out and perform to what she did today," said Cheverie.

"It's one thing to be practising a couple times a week with a team but it's a different story to be in game shape and game ready and so putting her in a spot where there's the speed of Laura Stacey and the responsibility of Poulin, we thought it was a good decision to start her off there."

Montreal's O'Neill takes cross-check to head

There seemed to be some animosity during the game in front of the net on both ends, notably as Montreal's Kristin O'Neill took a cross-check to the head in front of Boston's net in the second period.

It seems there's still work to be done to ensure the officials' calls are consistent game after game, according to Cheverie.

"We don't talk that much with the refs," she said. "They chatted about [the call with O'Neill] but they never came back. I didn't actually know what the conversation was that happened. I think we're seeing a discrepancy a lot of nights, but I know it's something that the league is working diligently on and trying to get it to a place where each night we're seeing some pretty consistent play.

Late in that second period, Boston (4-2-2-5) trimmed Montreal's lead as captain Hillary Knight scored her third of the season, assisted by Alina Müller who forced a Montreal turnover to take possession.

Erin Ambrose notched her third of the season, assisted by Maria Keopple and Poulin at 2:29 of the third, helping Montreal reclaim its two-goal lead.

Shortly after, Boston's Jamie Lee Rattray was called for roughing, giving Montreal another chance to pull ahead. Despite strong offensive pressure, Boston managed to kill the Montreal power play.

Montreal would get another shot on the power play with under five minutes left to play as Boston defender Susanna Tapani was sent off for holding.

Goaltender Elaine Chuli posted 30 saves in this matchup and is the only goaltender in the league to remain undefeated.

"It's been great so far," Chuli said. "We've definitely been building as the season's gone on and our team keeps improving and making our jobs easier back there."

Both teams return to action Wednesday night. Montreal visits New York at Total Mortgage Arena, while Boston travels to face Toronto at Mattamy Athletic Centre.

The full schedule of PWHL games airing on CBC Sports this season is available here.

WATCH l CBC Sports' Hockey North looks at best moments around the PWHL:

Heise Injured, Toronto’s 5-game win streak, and best moments around the PWHL

9 months ago

Duration 9:03

Host Rob Pizzo is joined by Saroya Tinker to break down the biggest stories from Week 8 of the PWHL season.