Abstreiter’s patience pays off in brilliant shutout performance for Victoire

OTTAWA – Sandra Abstreiter bet on herself two years ago and Friday night she was rewarded with her first shutout in the Professional Women’s Hockey League.

Abstreiter, named the game’s first star, made 39 saves in a 3-0 win over the Ottawa Charge that allowed her Montreal Victoire to move into first place.

The road to reach this point hasn’t been the easiest for the Victoire goaltender.

Abstreiter was drafted in the 12th round, 68th overall by Ottawa in the 2023 PWHL draft and went on to sign a one-year contract with the Ottawa franchise for the league’s inaugural season.

She appeared in three games that first season. Knowing Ottawa had drafted a goaltender, Gwyneth Philips, she elected to hedge her bets and signed a reserve contract with the Victoire the following season.

She didn’t start a single contest last season but worked diligently to improve every aspect of her game.

“I knew that was the situation last year and I knew it was more of a developmental year, I would say,” said Abstreiter. “I worked a lot with the goalie coaches, with my goalie partners from last year. Ann (Renee-Desbiens) is still there and I can learn a lot from her every single day in practice as well. And that’s just what I took last year, especially.”

The work paid off and she signed a one-year contract extension with Montreal where she now serves as the backup to Desbiens.

“Sandy has put in a ton of work over the past two years to get opportunities like this, and you know, this is the best I’ve seen her play,” said Victoire head coach Kory Cheverie. “She was so big. She calmed things down for us. As the game went on, I felt like anything that was directed at the net was just going to be saved and maybe pushed to the side.”

Friday’s game was played at the Canadian Tire Centre in front of 17,114 fans. Abstreiter said the energy was unbelievable, even if the crowd wasn’t cheering for her.

“The crowd in here was incredible,” said Abstreiter. “I mean, every game with this many fans, is great for the league in general, obviously. And sometimes it’s also fun to, like quiet them a little bit down I guess, and I think we did that once we scored our first goal.”

There’s no denying picking up her first shutout against her former team adds to the celebration. Abstreiter said there was no ill will when parting ways but realized she wanted to “change things up.”

“Like I said, I’m very grateful for my time in Ottawa,” Abstreiter said. “I wouldn’t want to miss it. I love the team. I got great support. I worked a lot with the goalie coach as well. I really enjoyed working with him a lot, and I think after that first year, I was just like, I don’t want to be stuck in a role.”

She knew she was taking a risk heading into free agency but is happy with how things worked out. 

Cheverie credited Abstreiter’s professionalism and work ethic the past two seasons to get to this point.

“You know, she’s been putting in a ton of work, and for these opportunities, and, you know, it’s not easy in this league in general, playing behind a starting goalie, it’s not,” said Cheverie. “She has done it with character, class, work ethic and it shows tonight. It shows in these moments.”

The loss was a costly one for the Charge (6-7-1-11) who are fighting for the final playoff spot.

With five games remaining Ottawa can ill afford to give up any more points.

Charge head coach Carla MacLeod liked the way her team played.

“A heck of a game from our side,” said MacLeod. “Obviously, so many chances, you know, give credit to Abstreiter, a whale of a game for herself, but certainly loved how we played and believe if we continue at that rate good things are going to happen for us.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 4, 2026.