Ottawa Charge head coach Carla MacLeod gave an emphatic speech during Game 3 of the PWHL Walter Cup Finals as her team trailed the Montreal Victoire 0-1 in the third period. Ottawa's season was on the line.
The Charge responded with a bolt of energy and scored two unanswered goals against Montreal to force Game 4, capped by a game-winning goal from Ottawa hometown hero Rebecca Leslie with only 55.5 seconds remaining.
"We're not done yet," said Leslie, who leads Ottawa with six points (4 goals, 2 assists) this postseason. "We've just had a no quit attitude all year, and this group is really special. ... I'm speechless. It's just such an honor to play for this city. We have the best fans in the league."
GAME 1 RECAP:Montreal completes dramatic OT comeback with face goal vs. Ottawa in PWHL Finals
Montreal's Hayley Scamurra opened scoring in the third period on an assist from Maureen Murphy to take a 1-0 lead at the 7:32 mark. With their backs against the wall, Ottawa's Peyton Hemp scored the equalizer with 5:30 remaining. It marked the first playoff goal of Hemp's career, and it couldn't have come at a better time as the Charge were minutes away from losing back-to-back PWHL Finals.
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The first two games of the best-of-five championship series resulted in overtime, with Montreal winning both to take the first 2-0 series lead in PWHL Finals history. It looked like Game 3 was going to follow the same script, but Leslie stepped up and scored a game-winner in the closing minute to win the game.
Ottawa's Gwyneth Philips saved 27 of 28 shots on goal, extending her streak of never losing in regulation in the PWHL Finals to seven games. Philips is now two saves away from recording 1,000 this season. Meanwhile, Montreal goalkeeper Ann-Renée Desbiens saved 26 of 28 shots.
Game 4 of the PWHL Finals is scheduled for Wednesday in Ottawa.
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at@CydHenderson.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Ottawa Charge rally in Game 3 of PWHL Finals to beat Montreal Victoire
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