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The PWHL set a playoff attendance record Monday night, drawing 16,894 fans to Canadian Tire Centre to watch the Ottawa Charge edge the Montreal Victoire 2-1.
Scoring remains tough in the PWHL, especially in the playoffs. All but two games this postseason have been decided by a single goal, highlighting the league’s balance and competitiveness.
The first two games of the Walter Cup final between Ottawa and Montreal went to overtime. Game 3 nearly followed suit, until Ottawa forward Rebecca Leslie scored the game-winner with just 56 seconds remaining.
This closeness is intentional. The league and its teams are owned by one entity, ensuring equal resources and opportunities across all teams. That’s why blowout scores like 8-3 or even 4-1, common in NHL playoffs, are rare here.
“It’s just created an incredible environment,” said Charge head coach Carla MacLeod after Monday’s win. “My hair is maybe a little greyer than other days, but in the same breath, I wouldn’t trade it. This is what you want. This is how you grow the game and man, the product is unbelievable.”
The tight games force teams to focus intensely on managing every minute, knowing leads will likely be narrow.
Montreal, leading the best-of-five series 2-1, will look to tighten its late-game defense Wednesday. After opening the scoring in the third period of Game 3, the Victoire couldn’t maintain their advantage as Ottawa scored two unanswered goals in the final five minutes.
“I think both teams are desperate to find a way to come out with the win,” said Montreal head coach Kori Cheverie. “The game is never going to be won or lost in the first period… It’s a long game. It’s a chess match. It’s establishing your game plan and trying to establish it before the other team.”
Game 4 returns to Ottawa’s Canadian Tire Centre Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET. If needed, Game 5 will take place in Laval, Quebec, on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET.
One key area both teams want to exploit in Game 4 is the power play. Neither has scored on the man advantage in the series despite multiple chances — each squad has had seven power plays. Ottawa had a notable five-on-three opportunity in Game 3 but couldn’t find the net.
“Special teams become such an important component when games are this tight,” MacLeod said. “Our power play, we’re still doing video, we’re still trying to find ways to get through and get that goal that could make a difference.”
Cheverie was unfazed when asked about her team’s power play struggles. “Nope,” she replied simply.
Excellent goaltending and shot blocking have also kept scores low. Montreal’s rookie defender Nicole Gosling leads all playoff players with 16 blocks in eight games.
Montreal captain Marie-Philip Poulin has been a standout, leading all skaters with seven points in eight playoff games despite a lingering injury. She took seven shots on net in Game 3 and played 18:42—her highest ice time in a regulation game since January.
On Ottawa’s side, forward Emily Clark’s relentless play was crucial in Game 3. While she didn’t score, her forechecking helped create the game-tying goal by rookie Peyton Hemp.
“She’s always going to be all-in for our crew,” MacLeod said of Clark. “She has been every game she’s played here in Ottawa for us.”
Clark stressed the importance of belief after Monday’s win. “We had belief we were going to win that game, however it was going to look,” she said.
As the playoffs continue, the Charge also rely on the presence of reserve players and backup goalies, who train and stay ready in case they’re called upon.
With no formal minor league for women’s hockey in North America, the PWHL serves as a vital platform for players. Expansion plans, such as the addition of a San Jose franchise, will create over 90 new roster spots next season, boosting opportunities for players on and off the ice.
For players like Kendra Woodland, Ottawa’s third goaltender, the growth spells promise. “I absolutely love the Charge,” she said. “I bleed Charge. But I think having 12 more goalie spots is really good for this league. For girls like myself that already have our foot in the door, it’s a little bit more promising for us to be able to stay here and have a job at the end of the day.”
