Catherine Dubois scored at 15:33 of the fourth overtime to lift the Montreal Victoire to a 3-2 playoff victory over the Ottawa Charge on Sunday afternoon at Place Bell.
The game set a Canadian professional women’s hockey record for the longest hockey game ever, passing the Canadian Women’s Hockey League semifinal on March 18, 2018. The previous longest Professional Women’s Hockey League game was played exactly a year ago between Montreal and Boston.
Kristin O’Neill and Laura Stacey also scored for Montreal, while Anna Wilgren had two assists. Ann-Renee Desbiens made 62 saves as the Victoire tied the best-of-five semifinal series at 1-1.
Brianne Jenner had a goal and an assist for the Charge. Aneta Tejralova also scored for the visitors while Gwyneth Philips made 53 saves.
WATCH | Dubois scores in 4th OT, Victoire even series with Charge:
Montreal captures their first-ever playoff victory as they defeat Ottawa 3-2 with a goal from Catherine Dubois in the fourth overtime. The Victoire win the longest game in PWHL history to even the best-of-five semifinal series at 1-1.
Ottawa came back from a 2-0 deficit with two goals in the final 4:34 of the third period. Jenner’s goal forced overtime with 41.8 seconds remaining. The Charge had pulled their goaltender for the extra attacker.
Both teams had five-on-three power plays in the first overtime period, but were unable to capitalize.
The Victoire opened the scoring 2:25 into the game when O’Neill scored her first of the post-season.
The pass banked off the side boards and ended up perfectly placed for O’Neill to beat Ottawa’s defence to the puck. She then put the backhand past Phillips. It was Montreal’s first shot of the game.
Montreal doubled their lead 8:35 into the second period when Laura Stacey entered the zone off of a nice pass from Anna Wilgren and fired a snap shot over the pad of Philips.
Ottawa sees goal waved off
Ottawa looked to cut the lead less than a minute later. A scramble in front saw the puck cross the goal line, but the call after an official review ruled there was goaltender interference. The Charge challenged the call, but it was confirmed giving Montreal a power play. Rebecca Leslie was credited with the shot that crossed the line.
They finally beat Desbiens with 4:34 remaining in the third period. Brianne Jenner’s faceoff win got the puck to Tejralova. Her point shot got through traffic to make the score 2-1.
Jenner’s tying goal came when Tereza Vanisova had the puck at the goal line to the left of Desbiens, and fired a cross-ice pass. The puck hit off of Ottawa forward Clark before Jenner fired the one-timer into the open side of the net.
The series now shifts to Ottawa for the next two games. Game 3 is scheduled for Tuesday night at TD Place.
