The Professional Women's Hockey League championship final opened with a dramatic Game 1 on Thursday, as the Montreal Victoire defeated the Ottawa Charge 3-2 in overtime at Place Bell in Laval, Que. Abby Roque scored her second goal of the game at 2:29 of the extra period to secure the win for Montreal.
Heartbreaking Finish for Ottawa
Ottawa was just three seconds away from a regulation victory when Montreal defenseman Nicole Gosling fired a shot through traffic that beat Charge goaltender Gwyneth Philips, tying the game at 2-2. The late goal sent the contest to overtime, where Roque completed the comeback.
Victoire star Marie-Philip Poulin played a key role in setting up the tying goal. Earlier, Montreal's Laura Stacey appeared to suffer a season-ending injury but returned for overtime and made the first deflection on the point shot that Roque finished for the winner.
Leslie's Heroics Not Enough
Rebecca Leslie seemed poised to be the hero for Ottawa when she broke a 1-1 tie with her second goal of the game at 15:56 of the third period. The Kanata-born winger scored on a 2-on-1 rush, cutting across the net and sliding the puck past Victoire goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens.
Leslie also opened the scoring in the first period of last year's Walter Cup final against the Minnesota Frost, a game Ottawa won 2-1 in overtime. This time, her goal came at 16:56 of the second period, giving the Charge a 1-0 lead. The goal was a solo effort, as Leslie forced a turnover at the Ottawa blue line, carried the puck down ice, and fired it past a fallen Desbiens.
The Victoire tied the game early in the third period before Leslie's late strike put Ottawa ahead. However, Montreal's late equalizer and overtime winner dashed Ottawa's hopes.
Series Continues Saturday
Game 2 of the best-of-five series is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. ET at Place Bell. The Charge will look to rebound after the heartbreaking loss.
