Ottawa Charge defenseman Ashton Bell of Deloraine, Manitoba was named the Professional Women’s Hockey League First Star of the Week for the week from April 21-27, 2025 on Monday. Bell scored twice on four shots on goal in a 3-2 Ottawa win over the Montreal Victoire at Toronto Dominion Place in Ottawa, Ontario on Saturday. The game was noteworthy because 8,576 people were in attendance, the most spectators ever to see a Charge home game at TD Place.
Bell, a Canadian Olympic gold medalist, opened the scoring at 10:38 of the first period. Fellow Canadian Olympic gold medalist Jocelyne Larocque of Ste. Anne, Manitoba, and Shiann Darkangelo notched the assists. Bell then closed the scoring with 13 seconds left from Canadian Olympic gold medalist Emily Clark of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Gabby Hughes to break a 2-2 tie. What was also most memorable about Bell’s game-winning goal was the fact she scored shorthanded. Larocque won a gold medal for Canada at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, while Larocque, Clark and Bell won a gold medal for Canada at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.
For the season, Bell has three goals and three assists for six points. She is a +2 with one shorthanded goal, one game-winning goal, and 22 shots on goal.
With the win, the Charge improved to a record of 13 wins, 11 regulation losses, and four losses in extra time. They are in fourth place in the PWHL Standings and lead the defending PWHL champion Minnesota Frost by four points for a playoff spot. The Victoire and Toronto Sceptres have already clinched PWHL playoff spots. The Victoire will be first in the PWHL standings, as they currently have 50 points. The Sceptres are in second place with 45 points.
