Ashton Bell helps Charge ring up Victoire 3-2; Ottawa closes in on PWHL playoff spot
Ottawa currently sit 3rd, Montreal remain atop standings with playoff position clinched
Ashton Bell scored twice, including once shorthanded, to give the Ottawa Charge a 3-2 win over the Montreal Victoire in Professional Women's Hockey League action Saturday in Ottawa.
After opening the scoring in the first period, Bell closed the scoring with 13 seconds remaining in the third period, while the Charge were shorthanded for the 3-2 lead and ultimately the win.
WATCH | Ashton Bell scores a pair including the late winner as Charge defeat Victoire:
Brianne Jenner also scored for the Charge (12-11-4-11), who inched closer to earning their first PWHL playoff berth, in this the second season of the league. Shianne Darkengelo had two assists for Ottawa while Gwyneth Philips made 25 saves for the win.
After the Charge had taken a 2-0 first-period lead, Anna Wilgren scored for the Victoire in the final minute of the first period and Catherine Dubois tied the game six minutes into the third period.
Elaine Chuli made 24 saves for Montreal (11-6-3-8) who have already clinched a playoff berth but failed to secure one of the top two seeds with two games remaining.
Ottawa went 0 for 1 on the power play with the Victoire were held scoreless in three power-play opportunities.
Takeaways
Charge: Ottawa looks to already be in post-season form as it makes a push toward a playoff spot. The Charge were solid at both ends of the ice Saturday and collected their third straight win while allowing just three goals in the process. They also have four wins in their past five.
Victoire: Although there were three weeks between games, a streak is a streak and Montreal is not on a good one. Following Saturday's game, the Victoire have lost two straight and six of their past eight games. Not a great confidence boost with just two games remaining before the playoffs.
Key moment
While there were a few, including a full two minute five-on-three penalty kill by the Charge and big saves at key moments by both netminder, the biggest moment was Bell's jailbreak goal with 13 seconds left to give Ottawa the win.
Key stats
When the Victoire scored last in the first period Saturday, it snapped a shutout streak for the Ottawa Charge and Philips at 131:14. It was the second longest such streak of the season behind only Corinne Schroeder of the New York Sirens at 178:46.
Up next
Charge: It all comes down to Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Frost for the Ottawa Charge.
Win and they're in.
After the win against Montreal for the Charge's third consecutive win, putting them four points ahead of Minnesota for the final playoff spot in the Professional Women's Hockey League. The two teams meet in Ottawa on Wednesday in their second last game of the season and no matter what happens in the Frost's game on Sunday, a win will give the Charge their first-ever playoff berth in the league's second season.
"You get to this point in the season and the games are going to be tight," said Charge coach Carla MacLeod. "Everyone's fighting for everything and for our group it's no different. We don't waver in moments anymore, we just keep working.
"It's just staying true to our process, and that's been the conversation we've had over the whole season. We're just trying to get better every game and that doesn't change for us."
Ottawa has won three straight games and four of there past five. There was a three-week break in between wins two and three for the women's world championship, but the team seems to be playing their best hockey at the right time.
"There's a lot of excitement and energy to our group," said Charge defender Jincy Roese, who sang the national anthem before Saturday's win. "We're having a lot of fun right now."
If Minnesota loses to New York in regulation time on Sunday, the Charge would clinch a playoff spot with a single point Wednesday. Each team would have a game remaining and could tied in points still, but the Charge hold the tiebreaker with most regulation wins.
A Minnesota win Sunday and the Charge will still get into the playoffs with a regulation win Wednesday.
"Every game these last few are very important now we're looking towards Minnesota Wednesday and another big three points to chase towards clinching a playoff spot," Ottawa defender Ashton Bell said.
"I think our teams rise to these types of occasions and we're looking forward to Wednesday."
The Charge are now tied for the league lead with 11 regulation wins, but they are also second to last in the league with 11 regulation losses. It's all those overtime games that are making the difference.
"It's not any easy game out there. Every team is so good, but so are we and that's what we're understanding. We know nothing will be given to us and we'll go out there and earn it," MacLeod sad.
"There's been non-stop pressure on us all year. This is a league that's built on pressure, because the parity is so great and every game matters. For us it's just another opportunity to go out there and do what we do."
The final regular season game next Saturday for the Charge, and they are hoping to be playing for playoff seeding, and not a playoff invitation.
Victoire: The Victoire host the Boston Fleet on Monday and then will be on the road for their regular season finale as they travel to New York to take on the Sirens next Saturday.
