LAVAL, Quebec (AP) — In a breathtaking showdown that pushed the limits of endurance and skill, Catherine Dubois etched her name in history by scoring at 15:33 of the fourth overtime, propelling the Montreal Victoire to a thrilling 3-2 triumph over the Ottawa Charge on Sunday.
This epic match now holds the record for the longest hockey game ever in Canadian professional women’s hockey, eclipsing the previous record set during the Canadian Women’s Hockey League semifinal back on March 18, 2018. Remarkably, the last longest game in the Professional Women’s Hockey League occurred precisely one year earlier when Montreal faced off against Boston.
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Alongside Dubois, Kristin O’Neill and Laura Stacey also contributed goals for Montreal, while Anna Wilgren showcased her playmaking skills with two assists. In an extraordinary display of grit, Ann-Renee Desbiens turned aside an astonishing 623 shots, helping the Victoire level the best-of-five semifinal series at 1-1.
For the Charge, Brianne Jenner stood out with a goal and an assist, while Aneta Tejralova added another for the visitors. Gwyneth Philips was a wall in net, making 53 crucial saves.
The game took a dramatic turn as Ottawa clawed their way back from a 2-0 deficit, scoring two goals in a frenetic final 4:34 of the third period. Jenner’s pivotal goal with just 41.8 seconds left sent the match into overtime as the Charge gambled by pulling their goalie for an extra attacker.
In the initial overtime, both squads had opportunities on five-on-three power plays, yet neither could convert their chances.
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Montreal enjoyed 1:34 of five-on-three time, compared to Ottawa’s limited 24 seconds. Yet, the tension mounted as each team failed to find the decisive play that would seal the game.
Montreal set the stage early, taking the lead just 2:25 into the game when O’Neill netted her first goal of the postseason. A skillful pass skimmed off the boards, fortuitously positioning O’Neill to beat Ottawa’s defense to the puck, and she deftly slid a backhand shot past Philips. It marked Montreal’s very first shot of the contest.
The Victoire doubled their advantage at 8:35 into the second period when Laura Stacey made a brilliant entrance into the zone, receiving a perfect pass from Wilgren before unleashing a pinpoint snap shot over Philips’s pad.
Desperation struck for Ottawa less than a minute later, as they scrambled for a goal during a chaotic sequence in front of the net. Initially celebrating a goal, the play was overturned after an official review deemed there was goaltender interference. The Charge challenged the decision, but it was upheld, granting Montreal a power play. Rebecca Leslie’s shot was the one that crossed the line, but it wouldn’t count.
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Despite the setback, Ottawa’s spirit didn’t falter, and they generated the best chances during Montreal’s penalty. Katerina Mrazova rattled the post, while Emily Clark’s slot shot was snuffed out by Desbiens. Surprisingly, ten of Ottawa’s 11 shots that period came after Stacey’s goal.
Finally, with just 4:34 remaining in the third period, Ottawa broke through. Brianne Jenner’s faceoff win fed the puck to Tejralova, whose point shot trickled through the crowd and found the back of the net, narrowing the score to 2-1.
Then, in a moment of pure drama, Jenner tied the game when Tereza Vanisova, positioned at the goal line, dished a cross-ice pass that deflected off Ottawa’s Clark before Jenner unleashed a clinical one-timer into the open net.
As the series shifts to Ottawa for the next two matchups, Game 3 is eagerly anticipated on Tuesday night at TD Place. Fans can hardly wait to see how this gripping battle unfolds further.
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