The Ottawa Charge made a bold move in January, trading for three Walter Cup champions from the Vancouver Goldeneyes. Now, as they prepare for the Professional Women's Hockey League semifinals against the Boston Fleet, the question is whether this championship experience will translate into postseason success.
Emma Greco Returns to Boston
Charge defender Emma Greco, who played 28 games for Boston last season, knows the city and the Fleet locker room well. Facing her former team is a bittersweet experience. "I love the rink, I love the girls, so it's a good organization and a great city," Greco told the Ottawa Citizen.
Last season, Greco and the Fleet missed the playoffs after a three-way tiebreaker with Ottawa and Minnesota. "We were in a three-way tie, and it was pretty tough to learn we didn't make it," she said. "We didn't win any of the tiebreakers, and we were pretty shocked. So I definitely think it's fuel for them this season."
The Trade: A Blockbuster Deal
In January, the Charge acquired Greco, Brooke McQuigge, and Michela Cava from the Vancouver Goldeneyes in a six-player trade. All three players are Walter Cup champions: Greco won in the league's inaugural season with Minnesota, McQuigge as a rookie last season, and Cava is a back-to-back champion. "Winning is hard," said head coach Carla MacLeod. "I don't care at what level, I don't care where, but they've lived it, and it's certainly something that our group has talked a lot about, just trying to gain that momentum."
Integration and Offensive Production
Since joining the Charge, the trio has yet to score a goal but has combined for seven assists. MacLeod noted the challenge of integrating mid-season. "One of the biggest challenges is to try to integrate yourself into a group at that mid-point," she said. "It always takes a little bit of time, but I think we're really starting to see them really understand the attributes we know they possess."
Meanwhile, the players sent to Vancouver have provided more immediate offensive production, combining for nine points. However, with Vancouver watching from the sidelines, Ottawa has a chance to prove the value of championship experience in the postseason.
Michela Cava: A Champion's Pedigree
Cava is not only a back-to-back Walter Cup champion but has also been part of five consecutive championship teams. Her experience could be invaluable in the high-pressure playoff environment.
The Charge's journey in the PWHL playoffs begins now, and all eyes are on whether the January trade will pay off when it matters most.
