Ashton Bell’s second goal of the game came shorthanded with 13 seconds left in the game as the Ottawa Charge took a 3-2 regulation win over the Montreal Victoire on Saturday afternoon.
The game was the return to play for both teams after the World Championship break. Ottawa solidified their standing in a playoff position, while Montreal remained atop the PWHL standings, three points ahead of the Toronto Sceptres, who also lost in regulation on Saturday. There are two games remaining for both teams.
“I think as a group, we took some steps forward in terms of what we were able to generate,” said Montreal head coach Kori Cheverie. “We probably gave up a little bit too much on the other end. On five-on-five I think both teams mismanaged the puck at times, so I think we both were given opportunities to put some pucks in the back of the net. I think it could have easily went 3-2 the other way as well. They put in that hard work on their kill there to get a nice bounce. You have to work hard to get those bounces, and they put in a really hard-fought game.”
Ottawa took the lead midway through the first period when Bell drove the net and knocked home a rebound past Montreal goaltender Elaine Chuli. They doubled their advantage just over three minutes later when Brianne Jenner beat Chuli.
Montreal cut the lead to 2-1 with 22 seconds left in the first period when Anna Wilgren’s shot went through traffic and beat Gwyneth Philips for her third goal of the season.
Un tir de la pointe assez précis 😎
— x – Victoire de Montréal (@PWHL_Montreal) April 26, 2025
Wilgren Wilscore from the point pic.twitter.com/Q67SQ1ir4k
The second period went without a goal despite Montreal having a full two minute five-on-three advantage after an initial interference call and a faceoff violation on the ensuing draw. The Victoire went 0/4 on the power play in the game.
They did tie the game at 2-2 when Catherine Dubois fired a shot past Philips for her fourth goal of the season.
BEN OUI DUBOIS BEN OUI pic.twitter.com/YILVjdNKO8
— x – Victoire de Montréal (@PWHL_Montreal) April 26, 2025
Bell’s marker came after a penalty was called on Shiann Darkangelo with 1:49 remaining.
Montreal’s next game will be Monday night when they host the Boston Fleet in their final regular season home game of the season. They can clinch home-ice advantage in the first round with a single point.
Notes
- Alexandra Labelle returned to the lineup after being activated from long-term injury reserve. To create the roster spot, goaltender Sandra Abstreiter was moved to a reserve contract.
- Kati Tabin served the first game of her two-game suspension. Kelly-Ann Nadeau was signed to a 10-day contract but did not play on Saturday.
Standings
| TEAM | GP | GR | RW | OW | SW | OL | RL | PTS | GF | GA | MAX PTS | MAGIC | TRAGIC | #1 | HOME | GOLD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTL | 28 | 2 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 48 | 71 | 63 | 54 | X | – | 4 | 1 | – |
| TOR | 28 | 2 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 45 | 70 | 70 | 51 | 3 | 10 | 7 | 5 | – |
| BOS | 28 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 43 | 72 | 65 | 49 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 7 | – |
| OTT | 28 | 2 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 42 | 69 | 76 | 48 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 8 | – |
| MIN | 27 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 38 | 74 | 73 | 47 | 10 | 6 | – | 12 | – |
| NY | 27 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 33 | 66 | 75 | 42 | – | E | – | – | 0 |
New York was officially eliminated from playoff contention and will now start collecting ‘Gold’ points to try and secure the first overall pick in the 2025 PWHL Draft.
The top four teams make the playoffs, with the first two holding home-ice advantage. The first place team can select either the third or fourth place team to play in the first round. All rounds are best-of-five.
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