The Ottawa Charge achieved a rare feat in the Professional Women's Hockey League playoffs by defeating the Boston Fleet 3-1 at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Massachusetts, on Thursday. The victory evens the best-of-five semifinal series at one game apiece, setting up a pivotal Game 3 on Friday at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa.
Early Offense and Stellar Goaltending
The Charge struck twice before the 22-minute mark against Fleet goaltender Aerin Frankel, who had allowed one or fewer goals in 19 of her 27 starts this season. Ottawa then built a defensive fortress around their MVP goalie, Gwyneth Philips, who stopped 30 shots, including two breakaway chances.
Philips made a crucial blocker save on Fleet sniper Jessie Eldridge on a clear breakaway early in the first period. Later, with 10 minutes remaining in regulation, she denied Susanna Tapani on another breakaway to preserve the lead.
Key Goals
Ronja Savolainen opened the scoring for Ottawa with a wrist shot from the point that deflected off a Fleet stick and Frankel's trapper before crossing the goal line just under the crossbar. It was the first PWHL playoff goal for the Finnish defenseman and marked the second consecutive game that an Ottawa defender scored first.
Early in the second period, Rebecca Leslie set up Fanuza Kadirova for a one-timer from the slot, which Kadirova blasted past Frankel to give the Charge a 2-0 lead.
Boston's captain, Megan Keller, pulled the Fleet within one with a wrist shot off the post with 9.5 seconds left in the second period. However, Gabbie Hughes sealed the victory for Ottawa with an empty-net goal 90 seconds from the final buzzer.
Penalty Kill Success
The Charge faced early adversity when Kathryn Reilly took a tripping penalty 88 seconds into the game and Jocelyne Larocque was called for cross-checking at 7:37 of the first period. Ottawa's penalty-killing units rose to the challenge, killing off both penalties and keeping the Fleet off the scoreboard.
Boston outshot Ottawa 9-4 in the third period but could not solve Philips, who finished with 14 saves in the first period alone. Frankel stopped 18 shots for the Fleet.
Looking Ahead
Game 3 is scheduled for Friday at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, where the Charge will look to take a lead in the series. The winner of the best-of-five semifinal advances to the PWHL championship.
