Rougeau scores winner as Toronto beats Montreal in 1st-ever PWHL shootout

Lauriane Rougeau scored the shootout winner as Toronto edged host Montreal 4-3 in the first Professional Women's Hockey League game between the two rival cities on Saturday night.

Toronto snapped a three-game losing streak despite heroic efforts from Montreal captain Marie-Philip Poulin and goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens in front of 3,232 fans at Verdun Auditorium.

Maggie Connors — with a goal and an assist — Natalie Spooner and Jocelyne Larocque scored in regulation for Toronto (1-1-0-4), while Rebecca Leslie earned two assists.

Kristen Campbell stopped 21 shots in her sixth start this season. Campbell entered the game with a league-worst .876 save percentage.

WATCH l Rougeau lifts Toronto over Montreal for 1st shootout win in PWHL history:

Poulin scored twice, including a goal-of-the-year candidate with 22 seconds left in regulation to tie the game, while Desbiens made 36 saves for Montreal (2-1-2-1). Sarah Bujold also scored for the home team.

Spooner scored with 1:24 left in the third period to give Toronto a late lead.

Then, with the goalie pulled, Poulin — known as "Captain Clutch" for shining late in games — took it into her own hands.

The 32-year-old superstar corralled the puck from the neutral zone and danced through Toronto's defence before tucking a shot past Campbell to cap the solo effort and force overtime.

Poulin scored in one of four attempts in the shootout, while goals from Hannah Miller and Rouge gave Toronto the win in the sixth round.

Down 2-1 after 40 minutes, Toronto evened the score at 2:32 of the third period as Connors scored her first with a wrist shot past Desbiens.

Jesse Compher appeared to give Toronto its first lead of the game with eight minutes left in regulation by scoring after a