Ottawa Charge Tops Montreal 2-1 in PWHL OT Thriller

Rebecca Leslie scored a power-play goal just 12 seconds into overtime to give the Ottawa Charge a 2-1 victory over the Montreal Victoire in a Professional Women's Hockey League game Sunday night at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg.

The win came during the PWHL's Takeover Tour, marking the league's debut in the city and drawing a sold-out crowd of 15,321 fans. Ottawa entered the extra period with a 27-second power-play advantage after Montreal forward Abby Roque was penalized for slashing at the 18:27 mark of the third period. Leslie's quick strike lifted the Charge to their eighth game this season to extend beyond regulation as they vie for playoff positioning in fifth place.

The matchup featured a tense, low-scoring affair dominated by strong goaltending. Ann-Renée Desbiens made 26 saves for Montreal, while Gwyneth Philips stopped 20 shots for Ottawa. The teams traded goals in the second period to forge a 1-1 tie that held through a scoreless third.

Ottawa struck first at 5:37 of the middle frame when forward Gabbie Hughes converted a cross-crease pass from Peyton Hemp for her fourth goal of the season. Montreal equalized at 11:20, as Roque won an offensive-zone faceoff and fed...