### Ottawa Charge Upset Montreal Victoire in Thrilling PWHL Semifinal Opener The Ottawa Charge made a significant mark in their inaugural Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) playoff appearance by defeating the top-seeded Montreal Victoire 3-2 in Game 1 of their semifinal series. This victory not only showcased the Charge's resilience but also highlighted their potential as serious contenders in the playoffs. The game took place on May 8, 2025, at Place Bell in Laval, Quebec, where the Victoire had the home advantage after finishing the regular season with the highest points total. ### Breakdown of the Game's Key Moments 1. **First Period Highlights**: - Brianne Jenner opened the scoring for the Charge with a power-play goal, assisted by Tereza Vanisova and Aneta Tejralova, putting Ottawa ahead early in the game [https://www.yardbarker.com/pwhl/articles/charge_win_game_1_with_3_2_victory_over_victoire/s1_16448_42170313]. - The Victoire responded with a power-play goal from Maureen Murphy, tying the game at 1-1 [https://www.yardbarker.com/pwhl/articles/darkangelos_goal_philips_saves_help_charge_to_game_1_win_over_victoire/s1_16958_42169949]. 2. **Second Period Developments**: - The Charge regained the lead with a goal from Shiann Darkangelo, who later scored the game-winner in the third period [https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/others/ottawa-charge-beat-the-montreal-victoire-3-2-in-game-1-of-pwhl-semifinal-series-101746764455224.html]. 3. **Third Period Climax**: - Darkangelo's decisive goal came at 9:17 of the third period, solidifying the Charge's lead and ultimately securing their victory [https://cfjctoday.com/2025/05/08/darkangelo-nets-winner-charge-win-3-2-over-victoire-in-game-1-of-pwhl-semifinal]. ### Supporting Evidence and Statistics - **Game Statistics**: - **Goals**: Ottawa Charge (3) - Montreal Victoire (2) - **Power Plays**: Ottawa went 1-for-2, while Montreal was 1-for-2, indicating both teams capitalized on their opportunities [https://www.yardbarker.com/pwhl/articles/darkangelos_goal_philips_saves_help_charge_to_game_1_win_over_victoire/s1_16958_42169949]. - **Goaltending**: Rookie Gwyneth Philips made crucial saves, demonstrating her capability under pressure against a high-scoring Victoire team [https://www.yardbarker.com/pwhl/articles/darkangelos_goal_philips_saves_help_charge_to_game_1_win_over_victoire/s1_16958_42169949]. ### Conclusion: A Promising Start for the Charge The Ottawa Charge's victory over the Montreal Victoire in Game 1 of the PWHL semifinals marks a historic moment for the franchise, showcasing their potential to compete at the highest level. 1. **Historic Win**: This is the Charge's first playoff win in franchise history, setting a positive tone for the series [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/ottawa-charges-past-montreal-3-115503425.html]. 2. **Next Steps**: The Charge will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for Game 2, aiming to take a commanding lead in the best-of-five series [https://ottawa.citynews.ca/2025/05/09/ottawa-charge-beat-montreal-victoire-in-game-1-of-pwhl-semifinal-series]. In summary, the Charge's performance not only defied expectations but also set the stage for an exciting playoff run, as they continue to challenge the established hierarchy in women's hockey.