Ottawa Charge Even PWHL Semifinal as Series Shifts to Canadian Tire Centre

Key facts

• Ottawa Charge defeated Boston Fleet 3-1 on May 3, 2025, at Tsongas Center, tying the best-of-five semifinal 1-1.
• Gwyneth Philips made 30 saves for Ottawa, including 14 in the first period.
• Fanuza Kadirova scored the game-winning goal at 1:54 of the second period.
• Jocelyne Larocque recorded two assists, including one on Gabbie Hughes' empty-net goal at 18:30 of the third period.
• Attendance was 6,017, a sellout at the 6,496-seat Tsongas Center.
• Game 3 is scheduled for Friday, May 8 at Canadian Tire Centre, where Ottawa drew a record 17,114 fans in a regular-season game against Montreal.
• This was Ottawa's first playoff win by more than one goal, ending a streak of nine consecutive one-goal postseason games.
• Boston surrendered three goals on home ice for only the second time this season.

Philips Stands Tall as Charge Even Series

Gwyneth Philips turned aside 30 shots, and Fanuza Kadirova netted the decisive goal as the Ottawa Charge defeated the Boston Fleet 3-1 on Saturday night at a sold-out Tsongas Center, knotting the best-of-five semifinal at one game apiece. The victory was Ottawa's first in a playoff game decided by more than one goal, snapping a league-record streak of nine consecutive one-goal postseason outcomes. It also marked just the second time in the Charge's 10-game playoff history that they scored three goals and won on the road, the first since a 3-2 win in Montreal on May 8, 2025.

Early Lead Holds as Ottawa Strikes First Again

Ronja Savolainen opened the scoring for the Charge, picking the top corner from just inside the blue line. It was the second straight game Ottawa scored first against a Fleet team that led the league with 23 game-opening goals during the regular season. Boston outshot Ottawa 20-14 in the first period, but Philips made 14 saves to preserve the lead. At 1:54 of the second period, Kadirova fired a shot from the flank past Aerin Frankel short side, with Jocelyne Larocque recording the first of her two assists. The goal gave Ottawa a 2-0 lead, the first multi-goal advantage of the series.

Fleet Push Back but Cannot Solve Philips

Boston captain Megan Keller cut the deficit to 2-1 with 10 seconds left in the second period, snapping a shot from the high slot off the rush. The Fleet dominated the third period, outshooting Ottawa 9-4, but Philips stopped every attempt. With the net empty, Gabbie Hughes sealed the win at 18:30, assisted by Larocque. Aerin Frankel made 18 saves for Boston in the loss. "I think, like this season, this series will be so tight," Ottawa head coach Carla MacLeod said. "Obviously, Gwyneth had a great game. She helped us work our way through some of the moments. But our group is resilient, and we believe in ourselves."

Series Shifts to Ottawa with Record Crowd Expected

The Charge now return to Canadian Tire Centre for Games 3 and 4, where they have drawn significant crowds this season. On December 6, 2024, 11,065 fans watched a 3-0 loss to Montreal, though that date conflicted with a Senators homestand and the world junior championships. Last month, a Charge-record 17,114 spectators saw a 2-1 loss to Montreal. The PWHL has been in discussions with the Senators about a potential long-term move to the arena, the league's senior vice president of business operations. "We've got a long way to go to figure out where we are for the future of Ottawa, but the relationship with the Senators has blossomed," Scheer said.

Coaches and Players Emphasize Resilience

Boston head coach Kris Sparre urged his team to stay the course despite the loss. "You've got to just stick with it. It's a five-game series for a reason," he said. "We had pucks laying on the goal line, we hit posts, we had second and third chances in front of their net. Just keep creating those chances and eventually it's going to go." Fleet captain Megan Keller echoed that sentiment, focusing on the task ahead. "It comes down to burying our chances and being tough in front of our net. That's playoff hockey — not everything's going to be pretty." Ottawa goaltender Philips credited her defenders for clearing sight lines and clearing pucks. "I know when it was kind of late in the third, I just spit a rebound right up the slot and Brianne Jenner just swatted at it. I was giving her kudos," she said.

History Favors Tight Series as Both Teams Adjust

Saturday's game was the first in six head-to-head meetings this season where the winning margin exceeded one goal. All four of Boston's all-time playoff losses have been by multiple goals. Ottawa has limited opponents to one or fewer goals in five of their last six games, while Boston's offense has been held to one goal just twice in 10 home games this season, both against the Charge. The Charge's road win snapped a five-game streak of scoring two or fewer goals away from home. Boston surrendered three goals on true home ice for only the second time in 15 games this season.

What Lies Ahead: Game 3 and Beyond

Game 3 is set for Friday, May 8 at Canadian Tire Centre, with Game 4 scheduled for Sunday, May 10 if necessary. The series remains wide open as both teams have shown they can win in the other's building. Ottawa's ability to generate offense from the blue line will be a key factor, as will Boston's power play and ability to convert chances. The Fleet will look to regain their regular-season form, while the Charge aim to build on their resilient performance. For now, the series is exactly where it started: tied, with everything to play for.

The bottom line

• Ottawa tied the semifinal series 1-1 with a 3-1 road win, powered by Gwyneth Philips' 30 saves and Fanuza Kadirova's game-winner.
• The Charge snapped a streak of nine consecutive one-goal playoff games with their first multi-goal postseason victory.
• Game 3 moves to Canadian Tire Centre, where Ottawa drew a record 17,114 fans in a regular-season game, with potential for even larger crowds.
• Boston outshot Ottawa in every period but could not solve Philips, who made key saves in the third period to preserve the lead.
• The series remains tight, with both teams emphasizing resilience and the need to capitalize on scoring chances.
• The PWHL is in discussions with the Ottawa Senators about a potential long-term home for the Charge at Canadian Tire Centre.