The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) demonstrated its profound sense of community on Thursday night, as a regular-season game between the Toronto Sceptres and Ottawa Charge became a secondary storyline to an outpouring of support for a beloved figure.
A Night Focused on Humanity, Not Hockey
The Ottawa Charge's 3-1 loss to the Toronto Sceptres on December 5, 2025, was almost an afterthought. The true focus of the evening was on Charge Head Coach Carla MacLeod, who was back behind the bench just days after publicly revealing her own breast cancer diagnosis on Sunday, December 1.
MacLeod, who missed the team's previous game while at home in Calgary, returned to her coaching duties in Toronto. The league, now in its third season, immediately shifted its competitive energy to one of compassion and solidarity.
An Overwhelming Wave of Support
The tribute began before the puck even dropped. Former Sceptres goaltender Erica Howe, a cancer survivor herself, performed the ceremonial faceoff while wearing a No. 3 jersey from MacLeod's days with the Canadian National Team.
"It's mind-blowing to me," MacLeod said post-game, visibly moved. "I think it just speaks to the hockey community. It speaks to the impact cancer has on all of our lives. In these moments, everything from a competitive piece just falls away, and it's a human piece. It's really, really overwhelming for me."
The support crescendoed in the third period when the arena announcer acknowledged the night's "Stick it to Cancer" theme and highlighted MacLeod's recent diagnosis. The entire arena responded with sustained, heartfelt applause.
A League-Wide Embrace
The most poignant moment came after the final whistle. In a display of sportsmanship that transcended rivalry, the entire Toronto Sceptres team lined up to share a personal moment, encouragement, and a hug with MacLeod. The Ottawa coach remained on the ice until every opposing player had their turn.
"It sums up Carla, it sums up our team, and it sums up the PWHL," said Sceptres Head Coach Troy Ryan. "It sums up the whole atmosphere and what we are trying to accomplish here. You can battle and scratch and claw each other as much as you want, but when it all comes down to it, there are bigger things out there than hockey."
MacLeod expressed deep gratitude for the support, calling it "a whole massive wave of just love." She also used the platform to encourage others to prioritize their health, urging people to get tested. "I just hope to pay it forward," she stated. "I'm the name on the sign right now, but we all have signs."
The night proved that while the PWHL is a fiercely competitive professional sports league, its foundation is built on an unbreakable human connection, ready to uplift its members during life's most challenging battles.
