Ashton Bell Helps Charge Ring Up Victoire 3-1; Ottawa Closes In On PWHL Playoff Spot | CBC Sports

PWHL

Ashton Bell scored twice, including once shorthanded, to give the Ottawa Charge a 3-1 win over the Montreal Victoire in Professional Women’s Hockey League action Saturday in Ottawa.

Ottawa currently sit 3rd, Montreal remain atop standings with playoff position clinchedDarren Desaulniers · The Canadian Press

· Posted: Apr 26, 2025 3:57 PM EDT | Last Updated: 5 hours ago

Ottawa Charge’s Ashton Bell, centre, scores on Montreal Victoire’s goaltender Elaine Chuli, right, during first period PWHL hockey action in Ottawa, on Saturday. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press)Ashton Bell scored twice, including once shorthanded, to give the Ottawa Charge a 3-1 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:

Ashton Bell scores a pair including the late winner as Charge defeat Victoire

Ottawa’s Ashton Bell scored twice including the winning goal as Charge defeated Montreal Victoire 3-2 in PWHL action Saturday.

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.

TakeawaysCharge: 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 momentWhile 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 statsWhen 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 nextCharge: Ottawa will host the Minnesota Frost on Wednesday in what could determine a playoff spot for either team. The Charge then close out their regular season in Toronto next Saturday against the Sceptres.

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.