In a dramatic showdown at the Bell Centre, former Montreal Victoire goaltender Elaine Chuli returned to haunt her old club, backstopping the Toronto Sceptres to a narrow 2-1 victory on Saturday, December 27, 2025. Chuli's stellar 29-save performance was the cornerstone of the win, which saw the Sceptres leapfrog the Victoire into second place in the Professional Women's Hockey League standings.
Former Teammate Turns the Tables
The storyline of the afternoon centered squarely on the crease. Elaine Chuli, who served as Ann-Renée Desbiens's backup in Montreal for the league's first two seasons, made her first start against the Victoire since signing a one-year deal with Toronto last June. She was nothing short of brilliant, turning aside chance after chance from her former teammates.
"It's always special playing against friends, but today was about getting two points for our team," Chuli's performance seemed to say, as she calmly controlled her net throughout the contest. At the other end, Ann-Renée Desbiens was nearly as good, making 23 saves in a losing effort for Montreal.
Sceptres Strike Twice to Seize Control
Toronto's offense provided just enough support for their netminder. Jesse Compher and Daryl Watts found the back of the net for the visiting Sceptres. Watts's goal, scored during the second period, was a key moment that gave Toronto a cushion they would not relinquish.
Montreal's lone reply came off the stick of Abby Roque, but the Victoire could not solve Chuli a second time despite applying consistent pressure. The game was witnessed by a crowd of 18,107 fans at the iconic Bell Centre, a number that, while short of a sellout, still ranks among the highest attendances in PWHL history.
Standings Shakeup and What's Next
The implications of this result are significant for the league landscape. With the win, Toronto now sits three points clear of Montreal and just five points behind the front-running Boston Fleet. The race for playoff positioning is heating up as the season progresses.
Montreal will look to rebound quickly when they return to action. Their next test comes on Friday, as they host the New York Sirens at Place Bell in Laval. The Sceptres, meanwhile, will carry the momentum of a statement win against a direct rival as they continue their pursuit of the top spot.
