Montreal's Ann-Renee Desbiens leads goaltender award finalists

Montreal Victoire netminder Ann-Renee Desbiens looks to become the first two-time winner of the PWHL Goaltender of the Year award.

Last year's recipient was named a finalist on Thursday along with Aerin Frankel of the Boston Fleet and Gwyneth Philips of the Ottawa Charge.

The award is presented to the goaltender who showcases the most outstanding ability at the position during the regular season. A selection committee chose the finalists and the winner will be announced on June 16 in Detroit.

Desbiens, 32, set single-season PWHL records with a 1.11 goals-against average and a .955 save percentage and shared the league lead with a record 19 wins in 25 games. She ranked second with seven shutouts.

Frankel, 26, posted a league-record eight shutouts among her record-tying 19 wins, finishing with a 1.17 GAA and a .953 save percentage. She had a shutout streak of 226 minutes and nine seconds.

Philips, 25, set a PWHL record with 28 starts and broke the league record for minutes by more than 300. She also established a new league mark with 786 saves --- 155 more than the runner-up.

Desbiens, who helped the Victoire win the Walter Cup against Philips and the Charge on Wednesday night, won the award last season against the same two finalists.

--Field Level Media