Laura Stacey scores in OT as Victoire hang on to beat Fleet

With 2:50 remaining in the third period, the Montreal Victoire had a 2-0 lead, were on the power play, and appeared well on their way to a convincing Professional Women's Hockey League victory at Place Bell on Monday night in Laval, Que.

Then the hosts surrendered two goals in 39 seconds to the resilient Boston Fleet, including a short-handed marker, and were looking at overtime with 2:07 remaining.

"We've learned a lot of valuable lessons the past two games," said Montreal head coach Kori Cheverie. "The players who were on the ice for the two [late] goals, they know, they feel it."

Forward Laura Stacey scored with 42.7 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Victoire a 3-2 victory in front of 8,812 fans.

It was Stacey's 11th goal of the season and fourth game-winner as Montreal (11-7-3-8) secured home-ice advantage in the opening round of the PWHL playoffs.

"I think it was a collective 'take a deep breath,"' said Stacey. "A bunch of the girls were like `we got this, this is still our game.' Of course it sucks getting scored on twice when you're up 2-0 and you feel that win coming.

WATCH | Victoire defeat Fleet to lock down home-ice advantage:

Victoire defeat Fleet to clinch top spot and home-ice advantage in the 1st round

"That belief in each other, belief in the room, the trust, we've had it all year long and we've known it and we've had that resilience but it takes moments like that to really realize it, to really own it. That's what makes all the difference."

Montreal opened the scoring on the power play when Jennifer Gardiner came off the bench to knock in the rebound after Abby Boreen's shot rang off the post. The goal came on the Victoire's third power play of the game.

It was Gardiner's fifth goal of the