Victoire become 1st PWHL team to clinch playoff spot

The Montreal Victoire became the first PWHL team to secure a spot in the Walter Cup playoffs with a 4-1 win against the Minnesota Frost on Wednesday.

Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin opened the scoring in the first period before Laura Stacey netted the eventual winner 24 seconds into the second frame. Both players also added goals in the third period, with Poulin tallying her PWHL-leading 17th of the campaign. Elaine Chuli made 19 saves in the victory.

The Victoire lead the PWHL with 48 points through 26 games. The league has a three-point system in which regulation wins are worth three points, overtime victories are worth two, and overtime/shootout losses are worth one.

Montreal finished second in the regular season last year and was swept by the Boston Fleet in the semifinals.

The PWHL regular season expanded from 24 contests to 30 this campaign. Teams break for the World Championship from April 3-25, and the playoffs commence in May.