An announced crowd of 8,726 was on hand for a Saturday matinee at Xcel Energy Center, providing a festive atmosphere for the first-place Minnesota Frost’s last game of the calendar year. The stage was set for a fun afternoon for those in attendance, but neither team cooperated, with the Frost failing to being their “A” game and the visiting Montreal Victoire relying on a smothering defense to earn a 3-2 victory. Minnesota managed only 13 shots on goal through two periods and finished with 24. The loss was their first in regulation this season and snapped their four-game winning streak. “They did a good job,” Frost coach Ken Klee said of the Victoire. “They played hard, they played simple. They got pucks out, and we had a hard time getting to the front. So, it was a combination of us being a little off and them doing good job.” The Victoire came into the game knowing it had to limit the Frost’s scoring chances. “We talked a lot about managing pucks at the blue (line) — both blues,” Montreal coach Kori Cheverie said. “I thought we did a good job of that in the first and the second. Probably took our foot off the pedal a little in the third. “They have such a high-powered offense that if you give them a chance they’re going to create at least a Grade-A out of it.” The Frost scored the first goal of the game at 8:58 of the first period — Britta Curl-Salemme’s third of the season — despite being outplayed in the opening minutes. The Victoire responded with a pair of goals before the first period was over. The Frost pulled even early in the second period on Brooke’ McQuigge’s first goal of the season, but the Victoire quickly regained the lead on what proved to be the game-winning goal. “We didn’t have a good start,” Frost captain Kendall Coyne Schofield said. “It’s hard to play catchup; every team in this league is a great team. Not having a great start, that’s on us. And they did play well, they defended well. “Defensively, we struggled to get pucks out.” The Victoire roster features some familiar faces. Mariah Keopple, who scored Montreal’s first goal, played her high school hockey at Hill-Murray before playing collegiately at Princeton. She’s a native of Menomonie, Wis. “I had about 60 finally members here,” Keopple said. “They were scattered throughout the rink. It was incredible to do it in front of them, as well as fellow Wisconsin people on my team. It’s nice to be playing with them again.” One of those Wisconsinites is Abigail Boreen, her former Hill-Murray teammate. Boreen, along with Claire Degeorge, joined the Victoire this season after winning a championship with Minnesota last season. Boreen, who saw limited action with Minnesota last season due to being in pharmacy school, was placed in the draft after the season. She is off to a great start with the Victoire, entering Saturday’s game leading the team in goals, assists and points. “She’s had a major impact on our group,” Cheverie said. “One the ice and also in the dressing room. That’s something that was important for us with any player that we draft or any player that we pick up in free agency. “They have to have an impact on the ice, but more importantly their character in the room comes first. We believe the group we have is a special group, and she continues to add to that every day.” Briefly The Frost elevated forward Kaitlyn O’Donohoe from the reserve list to replace Dominique Petrie, who was placed on the long-term injured reserve due to an upper body injury. … Minnesota Governor Tim Walz took in the game with wife Gwen and son Gus. … The Frost are off until Jan. 2, when they host Boston. Related Articles Minnesota Frost | Nicole Hensley stars as PWHL-leading Frost top New York in shootout Minnesota Frost | Frost return home with 5-2 win against Ottawa Minnesota Frost | Britta Curl scores her first pro goals in Frost victory at Toronto Minnesota Frost | Frost raise championship banner before losing season opener to New York Minnesota Frost | Minnesota Frost ready to defend their PWHL title. But first, let’s raise a banner.