The Montreal Victoire let a third-period lead slip away on Monday night as the Ottawa Charge scored twice in the final six minutes to earn a 2–1 victory and force a fourth game in the PWHL Walter Cup finals.
Montreal appeared to be in control after Hayley Scamurra opened the scoring midway through the third period. Maureen Murphy fired a shot from the point that bounced off the back boards and Scamurra grabbed the rebound flipping the puck into the open cage giving the Victoire a 1–0 lead.
Scamurra said the goal was especially meaningful.
“Scoring a big playoff goal like that against a former team, it was a little extra special, and in this arena […] Honestly, we had a lot of our Montreal fans. I felt like we had a lot of cheers after that goal, so they traveled well, and that means a lot. Obviously, I wish we came out with a win and that part is frustrating.”
Ottawa responded with 5:30 remaining when rookie Peyton Hemp scored her first playoff goal, beating goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens on a rebound to tie the game.
Then, with 56 seconds left in regulation, Rebecca Leslie scored her fourth goal of the playoffs to complete the comeback. The play was reviewed for a potential hand pass, but the goal stood as the evidence was inconclusive, per the league.
Despite the loss, the Victoire still lead the best-of-five series 2–1 after winning the first two games in overtime at home.
Head coach Kori Cheverie said the series has been tightly contested from start to finish.
“I think both teams are desperate to find a way to come out with the win,” Cheverie said. “The game is never going to be won or lost in the first period. It’s a long game, it’s a chess match, it’s establishing your game plan, and trying to establish it before the other team.”
Cheverie said she remains confident in her team heading into Game 4 on Wednesday in Ottawa.
“No team is going to just hand you the win in their building — we knew it was going to be hard,” she said.
Game 4 is at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa on Wednesday, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. TSN and RDS will broadcast the game in Canada, while it will be available on YouTube and ION Television in the United States.
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