OTTAWA (Interstat) — Sandra Abstreiter stopped all 39 shots she faced and Kaitlin Willoughby scored twice, leading Montréal Victoire to a shutout victory over Ottawa Charge on April 3 at Canadian Tire Centre. Montréal scored three unanswered goals and kept Ottawa off the scoreboard, improving to 20 wins and 7 losses this season. Ottawa fell to 13 wins and 14 losses. Abstreiter was the game’s top star, while Willoughby and Abby Roque provided the offensive support that made the difference. The Victoire controlled the opening period and never let the Charge settle into a rhythm. Montréal’s victory came in the second meeting between the teams in less than two weeks, after Ottawa had won an overtime decision earlier this season.

Willoughby opened the scoring at 6:21 of the first period, with Catherine Dubois and Abstreiter drawing assists. The goal came after Maggie Flaherty was penalized for interference at 3:39. Flaherty was sent off again at 6:25 for hooking. Ottawa’s Michela Cava received a delay of game penalty at 8:01, and Fanuza Kadirova was called for illegal body checking at 8:23. Montréal took advantage when Abby Roque scored at 9:13, with Laura Stacey and Nicole Gosling assisting. Kathryn Reilly was penalized for tripping at 13:51. Natálie Mlýnková was called for holding at 15:09 and roughing at 17:28, while Ronja Savolainen received a roughing penalty on the same sequence. Willoughby scored her second goal at 19:17, unassisted, to complete the first-period scoring. Skylar Irving was penalized for hooking at 19:23, and Rory Guilday received a diving/embellishment penalty on the same play.

Willoughby finished with two goals on four shots. Roque added a goal on one shot and recorded one hit. Dubois contributed an assist, three shots and one hit. Stacey had an assist and three shots. Alexandra Labelle registered three shots. Lina Ljungblom also recorded three shots. Kati Tabin had two shots and one hit, while Nicole Gosling added an assist and one shot. For Ottawa, Gabbie Hughes led the Charge with two shots. Abstreiter’s 39 saves on 39 shots anchored the win and helped Montréal withstand Ottawa’s pressure throughout the night. The Victoire’s defensive effort limited second chances and kept the Charge from finding a spark. Montréal’s penalty kill also came up with important stops during a first period that featured frequent whistles.

The game featured a busy penalty sheet. Montréal’s Maggie Flaherty took two minor penalties. Natálie Mlýnková also took two. Ottawa’s Michela Cava, Fanuza Kadirova and Kathryn Reilly each served one. Ronja Savolainen and Rory Guilday were penalized for Ottawa, while Skylar Irving was called for Montréal. Despite the frequent special teams play, Montréal’s penalty kill and Ottawa’s inability to finish kept the Charge scoreless. Roque’s goal at 9:13 came during a stretch when Ottawa was dealing with penalties, and Willoughby’s late first-period goal gave the Victoire a commanding cushion. Ottawa generated shots but could not convert, and Abstreiter was sharp whenever the Charge tested her.

Ottawa had chances to respond but could not solve Abstreiter. The Charge’s best offensive moments came from Hughes, but Montréal’s defense, including Tabin and Gosling, consistently cleared rebounds and blocked shooting lanes. The Victoire also received steady play from their forward group, with Labelle, Ljungblom and Stacey generating shots and keeping possession in the offensive zone. Montréal’s ability to score early and protect the lead allowed it to dictate the pace. The Charge, meanwhile, struggled to sustain pressure after falling behind. Ottawa’s penalty trouble also disrupted its flow, preventing the Charge from building long stretches in the offensive zone.

The teams had already met three times this season before April 3. Ottawa won the most recent matchup in overtime, while Montréal had taken the two earlier meetings by narrow margins. That history added context to the Victoire’s fast start, as Montréal scored twice in the first period and never allowed the Charge to climb back into the game. Ottawa’s best chances came later in the opening period, but Abstreiter turned them aside. The Charge also struggled on the power play, failing to convert during several opportunities.

The shutout continued a strong stretch for Montréal. The Victoire had won three of their previous four games before this one, including shutout victories over Vancouver Goldeneyes and Minnesota Frost. Montréal’s previous meeting with Ottawa ended in an overtime loss earlier this season, but the Victoire avenged that result and improved their record in the season series. Ottawa had won two of its previous three games before the loss, but the Charge could not carry that momentum into this matchup. Montréal now has 20 wins and 7 losses, while Ottawa sits at 13 wins and 14 losses. The result gives the Victoire another important road victory and leaves the Charge searching for consistency.

Montréal will next host Seattle Torrent before visiting Boston Fleet. Ottawa will host Seattle Torrent before traveling to Toronto Sceptres. The Charge will look to rebound after being shut out at home, while the Victoire will try to build on a defensive performance that showcased Abstreiter’s goaltending and Willoughby’s finishing. The game also marked another important result in the playoff race, with Montréal strengthening its position and Ottawa missing a chance to gain ground. Montréal’s forward group showed balance, as six different skaters recorded at least one shot, and the team’s depth helped protect the lead.

Interstat’s ELO system had projected Montréal with a 57.1 percent probability to win. The Victoire delivered a performance that outpaced that projection, combining Abstreiter’s perfect night in net with timely scoring from Willoughby and Roque. Montréal’s next game is against Seattle Torrent, and Ottawa will face Seattle Torrent. The Charge will need a stronger offensive effort in their next outing, while the Victoire will aim to keep their momentum going. Abstreiter’s 39-save shutout stood as the defining performance of the night, and Willoughby’s two-goal effort provided the scoring punch Montréal needed.