The game winning goal from Shiann Darkangelo led to Ottawa’s first ever PWHL Playoff win in it’s history
The Ottawa Charge took game one of their 2024-25 PWHL Playoffs matchup against the top-seeded Montreal Victoire. The 3-2 win by the visiting team is the first win for the franchise in their nascent existence. Furthermore, it marked the team’s first win at Place Bell.
“I thought our team the whole day, the whole game was very focused and centered on what we believed would help us be successful,” said Charge head coach Carla Macleod. “They went out and they executed really well.”
Shiann Darkangelo, Ashton Bell and Brianne Jenner were the three goal scorers for the Charge. An interesting note stemming from the regular season, is that the Charge are 13-1 when Jenner tallies a goal.
“I think we’re doing a really good job just playing aggressive,” said Jenner when asked about the strength her team has played with since the second half of the campaign. “We’re balancing that with making smarter decisions with the puck and just weathering the momentum shifts in a hockey game.”
Montreal is still without a PWHL playoff win in the organization’s four postseason matches, stemming from the three-game-sweep at the hands of Boston last year.
“I think we can all be better in game two, and we know it,” said Laura Stacey. “There’s some positives to take from [the game]. There’s also some learning that we need to do.”
The positives were the two goals scored on the power play by Maureen Murphy, who extends her PWHL playoff point streak to four games, and captain Marie-Philip Poulin.
“Special teams are a huge part of the playoffs,” said Stacey. “If we can now play them five-on-five and then know that we have the confidence to put some away on the power play, I think that puts us in a really great spot.
In the goaltending matchup that is reminiscent of the World Championships, Ann-Renée Desbiens and Gwyneth Phillips squared off for their respective teams with the latter having the noteworthy performance.
Phillips made 31 saves on 33 shots, while Desbiens allowed three goals on 27 shots.
“The depth of our goaltending in the Ottawa Charge is something we’re very proud of,” said Macleod. “What we’re seeing from [Phillips] is what she [Phillips} does, and certainly stood tall at moments when we needed her.”
Game two between the two clubs will take place on Sunday, May 11. Place Bell will once again host the competition, with puck drop set for 2 p.m.