ELAINE Chuli of Waterford is a goalie for the Montreal Victoire of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). Last Wednesday, during a game against the Minnesota Frost, Ms. Chuli stopped 19 of 20 shots on net to help her first-place team win and become the league’s first to clinch a spot in the playoffs this season.
With the Victoire team leading 2–1 in the game’s third period, Ms. Chuli made a highlight-reel save, diving to stop a potential game-tying shot by Minnesota centre Michela Cava. Her teammates tacked on two more goals in that frame to seal Montreal’s 4–1 win.
After the game, Montreal forward Laura Stacey, who notched two of the team’s goals that night, lauded Ms. Chuli’s save.
“It was huge. I think at that point in the game, having your goaltender be able to back you up and make a save like that. All of us on the bench couldn’t believe it. It’s huge for our team. Every single person tonight was willing to do their job and go above and beyond. It was a huge save at a very important time that led to a lot of great things happening for us after, and that was a big one for us and for her, and we definitely let her know it.”
Ms. Chuli started between the pipes for the Victoire last Wednesday after fellow Montreal goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens was scratched for the second consecutive game due to an injury she sustained in a 2–1 loss against the Boston Fleet on March 18.
Ms. Desbiens is arguably the league’s top goalkeeper this season, leading all qualified players in wins (13), goals against average (1.85), and save percentage (.932).
During the league’s inaugural season in 2024, it was Ms. Chuli who led all qualified goalies in save percentage (.949) and goals against average (1.61), picking up six wins and one loss. This season, she’s recorded four wins and four losses as Montreal’s backup in the crease.
As PWHL’s top team in the standings and only lock for the playoffs, the Victoire will look to become just the second team to win the league’s championship when the playoffs start in the week of May 5. In 2024, the Minnesota Frost won PWHL’s first Walter Cup.
Before the playoffs, however, Montreal has four regular season games remaining. Ms. Chuli’s teammates are depending on her to keep the Victoire steady as they chase their championship aspirations.
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Originally published April 2, 2025
