Ashton Bell’s Last-Minute Heroics Lift Ottawa Charge to Dramatic 3–2 Win Over Montréal Victoire

The Ottawa Charge secured a thrilling 3–2 victory over the Montréal Victoire on Saturday afternoon, thanks to a dramatic last-second goal from Ashton Bell. The final jailbreak goal came with just 13 seconds remaining on the clock, leaving the sold-out crowd of 8,576 at TD Place in disbelief and celebration.

This victory extended Ottawa’s winning streak to three games, matching their season-best run (Dec. 29–Jan. 7), and solidified their hold on third place in the league standings. With 42 points, they moved four points above fifth-place Minnesota and two ahead of fourth-place Boston. 

Courtesy of the PWHL

Bell, who had never before scored two goals in a single game, also netted Ottawa’s first of the night at 10:38 in the first period. The game started with Ottawa in control as Bell's early strike was followed by a second goal from Brianne Jenner at 13:55, putting Ottawa up 2–0. However, Montréal fought back late in the first period, with Anna Wilgren scoring at 19:38 to reduce the deficit to 2–1.

The game settled into a more defensive rhythm after that, with neither team finding the back of the net in the second period. In the third, Montréal's Catherine Dubois leveled the score at 2–2 just six minutes into the period, creating the feeling that the game would likely head into overtime. But Bell had other plans. With the Charge on the penalty kill in the final moments of regulation, Bell unleashed a shot from the point that deflected off a Montréal defender and trickled into the net at 19:47, sending the crowd into a frenzy and giving Ottawa a last-minute win. 

Courtesy of the PWHL

After the game, Bell was understandably elated with her performance. "It was exciting. Obviously, Gabbie (Hughes) did a great job there. I think it was like a four-on-one in the corner, and she was just battling trying to buy some time and then, she got to put the puck out to the slot. I went off something, but yeah, it went in the net, so we'll take it," she said of her dramatic game-winner.

Montréal head coach Kori Cheverie reflected on the Victoire's effort despite the loss: “I think as a group, we took some steps forward in terms of what we were able to generate. We probably gave up a little bit too much on the other end. It could have easily gone 3–2 the other way. 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.”

For Wilgren, it was special to reunite with her teammates after a long break. “We're a pretty tight-knit group, so just being able to come back together after a pretty long break is pretty special,” she said. “I think we can pull some pretty positive things out of that game.”

Ottawa's defensive corps were instrumental in the win, contributing three points, and now sit just one point behind Minnesota for the league lead in defender scoring. Meanwhile, Ottawa captain Brianne Jenner also had a strong showing, netting her sixth goal of the season, while Shiann Darkangelo extended her point streak to three games with a multi-point effort.

With the win, Ottawa now shifts focus to their upcoming game on Wednesday, April 30, where they will face off against Minnesota at TD Place. Meanwhile, Montréal will look to bounce back in their Monday, April 28, matchup against Boston.

Edited by Breanna Ebisch