### Fleet's Playoff Hopes Dashed by Overtime Loss to Victoire The Boston Fleet faced a critical match against the Montreal Victoire on April 28, 2025, in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). Despite leading the season series, the Fleet were unable to secure a playoff spot after a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime loss. This defeat not only delays their postseason aspirations but also highlights the competitive nature of the league, where the Victoire managed to clinch a top-two finish with this victory [https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/28/sports/fleet-victoire-pwhl, https://sports.yahoo.com/article/laura-stacey-ot-winner-clinches-120209263.html]. ### Breakdown of the Match Dynamics 1. **Game Overview**: - The match was the final encounter of the 2024-25 season between the two teams, with the Victoire leading the series 3-2 prior to this game [https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/victoire_defeat_fleet_3_2_in_overtime/s1_16448_42123627]. 2. **Scoring Summary**: - The Victoire initially took a 2-0 lead, with goals from Jennifer Gardiner and a power-play goal in the third period [https://www.sootoday.com/national-sports/stacey-scores-in-ot-as-victoire-beat-fleet-3-2-after-blowing-two-goal-lead-10584271]. - The Fleet rallied back to tie the game, showcasing their resilience [https://www.newsday.com/sports/womens-sports/victoire-fleet-score-p26272]. 3. **Overtime Conclusion**: - Laura Stacey scored the decisive goal just over four minutes into overtime, sealing the victory for the Victoire and complicating the Fleet's playoff chances [https://www.newsday.com/sports/womens-sports/victoire-fleet-score-p26272, https://sports.yahoo.com/article/laura-stacey-ot-winner-clinches-120209263.html]. ### Key Statistics and Insights - **Shots on Goal**: The first period was tightly contested, with the Fleet registering 8 shots and the Victoire 7 [https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/victoire_defeat_fleet_3_2_in_overtime/s1_16448_42123627]. - **Power Plays**: The Victoire capitalized on their power play opportunities, which proved crucial in their scoring [https://www.sootoday.com/national-sports/stacey-scores-in-ot-as-victoire-beat-fleet-3-2-after-blowing-two-goal-lead-10584271]. - **Season Implications**: This match not only affected the Fleet's playoff hopes but also secured home-ice advantage for the Victoire in the upcoming playoffs [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/laura-stacey-ot-winner-clinches-120209263.html]. ### Conclusion: A Turning Point for the Fleet In summary, the Boston Fleet's overtime loss to the Montreal Victoire has significant implications for their playoff aspirations. 1. **Immediate Impact**: The defeat halts the Fleet's momentum and playoff hopes, leaving them in a precarious position as the season concludes. 2. **Victoire's Success**: The Victoire's victory not only clinches a top-two finish but also extends their rivalry streak, with five consecutive games decided in overtime [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/laura-stacey-ot-winner-clinches-120209263.html]. 3. **Future Outlook**: The Fleet must regroup and reassess their strategies as they look to improve in future seasons, while the Victoire prepare for a promising playoff run [https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/28/sports/fleet-victoire-pwhl].