No Poulin, No Mercy: Montréal’s Depth Sinks Sirens

By J.J. Pavlick | Newark, NJ | February 26, 2026

The Olympic break is supposed to be a reset—a chance to heal, regroup, and maybe sneak in a little momentum. But for the New York Sirens, Thursday night at the Prudential Center was more like walking into a buzzsaw. Montréal Victoire, missing their captain Marie Phillip-Poulin and the heartbeat of the league, didn’t just survive; they thrived. Outmuscling, outskating, and outright outplaying the Sirens in a 4–1 statement win that should send a chill down the spine of every PWHL contender.

A Hungry Pack, Not a One-Dog Show

When the face of the league is in street clothes, most teams tighten up or pray for a bounce. Not Montréal. From the opening drop, the Victoire came out snarling, their bench barking with energy, and their play matching the talk. The first period was a masterclass in seizing the moment: three goals on five shots, each one a gut punch to a New York squad that looked like it was still shaking off the jet lag.

Dara Greig got things rolling—finishing a gorgeous tic-tac-toe with Lina Ljungblom and Natálie Mlýnková. You could feel the confidence radiate up and down the Montréal bench. Less than a minute later, Jade Downie-Landry, in her return to the lineup, found twine in close. When Skylar Irving went bar-down for the 3–0 marker before the first TV timeout, you could see the Sirens’ shoulders sag. Montréal’s message was clear: “No Pou, No Problem!”

Head Coach Kori Cheverie didn’t downplay the moment. “This was a big one for us—no Pou, no Ambrose, but our group came together. It just goes to show the depth we have,” she told Bad Dawg Media. “I love that killer instinct. We’re not waiting for someone else to get it done. We’re finding the back of the net all over the roster.”

Goalies Who Came Back from the Wars

Let’s talk about Ann-Renée Desbiens. Fresh off Olympic gold, Montréal’s ace netminder looked like she could have played three more periods. She faced 35 shots—many of them high-danger, many while Montréal was shorthanded—and turned away 34. Desbiens was cool, calm, and just a little bit cocky, letting rebounds die and smothering any whiff of a Sirens comeback.

And don’t forget, Sandra Abstreiter—another Olympic hero—was ready and waiting. “We could’ve gone with Sandy too,” Cheverie admitted. “Both goalies came back battle-tested. Deb gave us a great battle tonight—lots of traffic, lots of power plays. She was locked in.”

Hayley Scamurra, fresh off Team USA gold, knows what it takes to win at the highest level. “Both goalies were up for success, and our D group, especially with new pairs, did great holding gaps and slowing down the rush. That’s key against a team like New York,” she said, her voice carrying the quiet confidence of a champion.

Blue Line Brawn and Brains

The Victoire’s back end deserves serious props. With Erin Ambrose out, Cheverie juggled her pairings, but you’d never know it from the product on the ice. Kati Tabin and Maggie Flaherty were steady as a metronome, eating up minutes and keeping the Sirens at bay on the outside. Nicole Gosling and Jessica DiGirolamo were composed, smart, and surprisingly physical—delivering hits and winning battles along the boards.

“Our D group held the gaps well and slowed New York down,” Cheverie said. “They were big on moving pucks, keeping plays alive at the blue. That’s the kind of team defense that wins games in March.”

The Sirens, for all their firepower, were forced to settle for low-percentage shots and one-and-done rushes. Montréal’s sticks were everywhere, passing lanes clogged, and when the Sirens did get a look, Desbiens was there, staring them down.

Sky’s the Limit—Literally

Skylar Irving is quickly becoming a fan favorite in Montréal, and not just for her name. She brings juice, joy, and a little chaos every shift. “She’s cheering for every situation,” Cheverie laughed. “It’s contagious. She wants the puck, she wants the moment. She’s fearless. It’s not surprising she’s getting points. The sky’s the limit for Sky.”

Irving’s goal wasn’t just a highlight; it was a metaphor for this Montréal team: young, hungry, and ready to step up when called upon.

Downie-Landry’s Homecoming and Locker Room Pulse

Jade Downie-Landry’s return to Montréal is already paying dividends. “I love being home,” she said postgame. “Corey (Cheverie) understands me, gives great feedback, and helps me elevate my game. It’s a real team here—no one’s left out.”

Forget the ruling from the Central Situation Room—the tape tells a different story. Downie-Landry didn’t commit interference; she was bulldozed into the crease. She exited, reset for a full four seconds, and then buried the rebound. The scoreboard says ‘No Goal,’ but in the eyes of the Victoire bench, and the fans at home, that was a clean finish erased by video review.

That sense of connection is no accident. Cheverie and her staff made a point of celebrating not just the Olympians but the entire group that held down the fort during the break. “The group that stayed in Montréal got better, got fitter,” Cheverie said. “At this level, you don’t get a ton of practice. We’ll use every minute to get sharper.”

Post-Olympic Buzz: Good for the Game, Bad for Opponents

The Sirens’ Sorrow: Same Old Song

For New York, the post-break blues continue. The Sirens’ power play finally showed some life with a Casey O’Brien snipe in the second, but that was all she wrote. Despite piling up 35 shots, they rarely generated the chaos needed to break down Desbiens and the Victoire defense. By the late stages, you could feel the frustration mounting—sticks banging, heads shaking, and another post-break letdown in the books.

No Shortcuts for Poulin—But Montréal Marches On

Marie-Philip Poulin’s shadow loomed large, but Cheverie isn’t rushing her return. “We want what’s best for her. We won’t rush her back,” Cheverie said. “She’s day-to-day. Maybe she’ll be back for Minnesota. I know it killed her to watch from home, but this team has her back.”

Next Stop: Minnesota and the Real Test

With Minnesota looming—a team every bit as deep, fast, and disciplined as Montréal—Cheverie’s group is embracing the challenge. “They’re a great team. We want to play the best to get better and be harder to play against. That’s how you grow.”

Bad Dawg’s Final Word

If you thought Montréal was only as good as its superstar, think again. This team is deep, dangerous, and absolutely unafraid. With their best player on the shelf, they hunted as a pack, exposed the Sirens’ soft spots, and made it clear the road to the PWHL crown runs through La Belle Province.

Three Stars

1. Ann-Renée Desbiens (MTL): Olympic gold swagger, 34 stops, zero panic
2. Lina Ljungblom (MTL): 1G, 1A, relentless motor, defensive backbone
3. Casey O’Brien (NY): Power play goal, lone Sirens spark

Final: Montréal 4, New York 1

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