Rookies lead Ottawa Charge to 1-0 victory over Montreal Victoire in PWHL playoff showdown

Published May 13, 2025 • Last updated May 14, 2025 • 1 minute read

OTTAWA. MAY 13, 2025 #141521 - Ottawa's Mannon McMahon (18) is swarmed by her teammates as they celebrate her winning goal in the third period to move Ottawa ahead 1-0. The Ottawa Charge beat Montreal's Victoire 1-0 Tuesday night at TD Place in Ottawa to move ahead 2-1 in the first round of the PWHL playoffs. Photo by JULIE OLIVER/Postmedia

For almost two and a half periods, it looked like the Ottawa Charge and Montreal Victoire would be in for another long night.

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But a couple of Ottawa rookies had other thoughts.

A goal by Mannon McMahon at 8:42 of the third period broke the ice and more stellar goaltending from Gwyneth Philips was the difference as the Charge took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five playoff series with a 1-0 victory in front of 7,282 delirious fans at TD Place on Tuesday.

The Charge now has a chance to finish off the regular season champs when the two teams meet at the same venue on Friday.

McMahon, a fifth-round pick out of Minnesota, scored the decisive goal by banging the rebound into an open net after Montreal’s Ann-Renee Desbiens made a stop off a corner shot by Gabbie Hughes.

The Victoire outshot the Charge 26-25.

Ottawa had the only two power-plays through the first 40 minutes and entered the third with a 19-17 advantage in the shots on goal.

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The Charge jumped out of the gate and carried the play in the early going – at one point owning an 8-2 edge in shots – but Montreal stole the momentum in the second half of the opening period before Marie-Philip Poulin took a roughing penalty in the offensive zone at the 18:51 mark.

Ottawa’s power play had a couple of chances, but the game remained scoreless as the teams entered the first intermission.

If a fifth and deciding game is needed, it will be played at Place Bell on Sunday night.

Ottawa’s Mannon McMahon chases the puck around Montreal’s net.McMahon’s 3rd period goal lifted the Charge to a 1-0 win over the Montreal’s Victoire during game three of the PWHL first-round playoffs at TD Place May 13th.Photo by JULIE OLIVER/Postmedia Photo by JULIE OLIVER /Postmedia

Ottawa’s Shiann Darkangelo tangles with Victoire’s Cayla Barnes while racing for the puck in Montreal’s end at TD Place last night. The Charge beat Montreal 1-0 to take a 2-1 lead in their PWHL playoff series, with the puck dropping on Game 4 on Friday. JULIE OLIVER/Postmedia

Emily Clark celebrates with fans after the team’s 1-0 win over Montreal Victoire Tuesday night at TD Place. Photo by JULIE OLIVER/Postmedia Photo by JULIE OLIVER /Postmedia

Ottawa Charge win — Ottawa Charge teammates celebrate and the fans go wild at their 1-0 win over Montreal Victoire Tuesday night at TD Place.This puts Ottawa ahead 2-1 in the first round of the playoffs against Montreal.Photo by JULIE OLIVER/Postmedia

Ottawa Charge thunderclap — Ottawa Charge teammates celebrate and the fans show their appreciation at their 1-0 win over Montreal Victoire Tuesday night at TD Place.This puts Ottawa ahead 2-1 in the first round of the playoffs against Montreal.Photo by JULIE OLIVER/Postmedia

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