Ottawa Charges into Second Straight Finals

The Ottawa Charge are fired up after securing back-to-back Finals with a double overtime win at home. The Charge now await their opponent as the Montreal Victoire and Minnesota Frost head to Game 5. 

Last season the Ottawa Charge pushed past the Montreal Victoire to make their first Finals appearance against the inaugural season champions, Minnesota. In an overtime filled series the Charge fell short, leading to back-to-back championships for Minnesota. Though not all was lost after an incredible performance from netminder Gwyneth Philips who walked away with the Playoff MVP. And she is living up to that this season leading in all playoff goalie stats with a 0.951 save percentage through the first round, despite heavy efforts from the Boston Fleet. 

In Game 4 the Charge took the first lead on the power-play, as the Wizard of Woz, Sarah Wozniewicz found her first of the playoffs. Early in the second, it was hometown, Rebecca Leslie doubling the Charge lead. However, in the blink of an eye the game changed as the Fleet scored three goals in just 93 seconds as they looked to keep their season alive. Minutes later it was Brooke Hobson tying the game, putting the Charge right back in it, as they looked to close the series at home. 

After an incredible performance from Aerin Frankel and Gwyneth Philips the game headed to overtime after a scoreless third period. Despite strong efforts from both sides the goalies held on, sending the game to double overtime. Where just over a minute into the period, back-to-back champion, Michela Cava found her first goal with the Charge officially punching their ticket to the Finals. 

Cava is in search of her third straight Walter Cup after winning back-to-back titles with Minnesota. Another title would extend Cava’s streak to six, having won back-to-back Isobel Cups (2022 and 2023) and the SDHL Championship (2021) in the three years before the PWHL. While Brooke McQuigge searches for her second straight after winning with Minnesota last year in her rookie season. Also looking to add to her championship resume is Emma Greco who won the first-ever Walter Cup with Minnesota in the inaugural season alongside Cava. 

The Charge now rest up and wait to see who their Finals opponent will be as the Montreal Victoire and Minnesota Frost drop the puck for Game 5 tonight at 7 PM (EST). 

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