Philips’ 41 Saves Lead Ottawa Charge to 3-0 Win Over Sceptres

Gwyneth Philips made 41 saves as the Ottawa Charge shut out the visiting Toronto Sceptres 3-0 on Saturday, securing the final playoff spot in the Professional Women’s Hockey League.

Ottawa (9-8-1-12) will make its second playoff appearance thanks to goals from Fanuza Kadirova, Sarah Wozniewicz, and Alexa Vasko. Toronto goalie Raygan Kirk turned away 29 shots but the Sceptres (10-1-6-13) fell short in their bid for a postseason berth.

The Sceptres entered the game needing a regulation win to overtake Ottawa for the last playoff spot but could not find the net. Ottawa struck first early in the second period when Michela Cava set up Kadirova for a short-side goal, shifting the momentum toward the Charge.

With Ottawa holding a 1-0 lead, Toronto’s Kali Flanagan turned the puck over at her own blue line just 1:03 into the third. Ottawa captain Brianne Jenner capitalized by setting up Wozniewicz, who beat Kirk off her backhand to extend the lead to 2-0.

Alexa Vasko sealed the game with an empty-net goal with just over four minutes remaining.

Both teams had solid chances in the scoreless first period, with Toronto pressuring Ottawa’s Philips early on. Ottawa narrowly missed an opening goal when a shot from Brooke McQuigge hit the crossbar. Brooke Hobson returned to the lineup for the Charge after missing seven games with an upper-body injury.

Despite two power-play opportunities, Toronto couldn’t convert, allowing Ottawa to maintain control throughout the second and third periods.

The Charge’s physical and patient style proved effective, while Toronto struggled to regain momentum after conceding the first goal.

Ottawa now waits to see if it will face either the Boston Fleet or Montreal Victoire in the playoffs. The Charge’s upcoming playoff games will be held at Canadian Tire Centre.

Meanwhile, the Boston Fleet secured a 4-0 victory over the New York Sirens, led by Jessie Eldridge’s first of four goals in the third period and 30 saves from goalie Aerin Frankel. Boston (16-5-4-5) could still finish first overall if the Seattle Torrent defeat Montreal Victoire later Saturday. The regular-season winner earns the right to choose its first-round playoff opponent.

Toronto’s loss ends their hopes for the postseason.

With files from The Associated Press