Ottawa Charge Recap: Week 13

Another disappointing week for the Ottawa Charge. Like most of the PWHL, they stayed quiet at the trade deadline, and unfortunately it looks like they could have used some help. After losing to Boston, they still have two games in hand over Minnesota, who are only ahead of them by five points, so it's not completely hopeless, but it's not looking good.

Last week: Ottawa 2, Boston 5

• Despite their unfortunate place in the standings, Ottawa still controlled their own fate heading into last week’s only game. With games in hand over Minnesota, one of the three teams they could realistically overtake in the standings, their situation was not quite as dire as it might seem. This was a must-win game.
• The result may look bad - and this late in the season that’s all that really matters - but part of what made this game so frustrating was the fact it was completely winnable until the very end.
• The first period was boring and uneventful. The Charge had a slight edge in shots, mostly thanks to two powerplays that didn’t really get much going. Gwyneth Phillips played well enough.
• Alina Müller got the game’s opening goal, thanks to Tereza Vanisova taking a tripping penalty in the second period.
• Thankfully, Vanisova made up for that mistake with a buzzer-beating goal right as the second period expired. I don’t think anyone expected her to be this good when we traded for her last season.

🚨 Tereza Vanišová (10)
🍎 Ronja Savolainen
🍏 Shiann Darkangelo pic.twitter.com/Jt8q5YONQe

— Ottawa Charge (@PWHL_Ottawa) March 15, 2025

• Unfortunately, Boston took the lead back early in the third period - the beginning of the end for Ottawa’s hope in this game.
• Hilary Knight made it 3-1 a bit past the halfway mark of the period, and that was effectively the end of the game.
• The Charge pulled their goaltender with about two minutes left, and Boston promptly got two empty net goals.
• By the time Natalie Snodgrass scored Ottawa’s second goal, the team only had 30 seconds left to come back in the game.

🚨 Natalie Snodgrass (1)
🍎 Victoria Bach
🍏 Ashton Bell pic.twitter.com/sBTWwTOEXY

— Ottawa Charge (@PWHL_Ottawa) March 15, 2025

• The reffing in this game felt very all over the place. Not necessarily in favour of either team.
• Vanisova continues to be one of the only players on the Charge who can consistently put the puck in the net.
• Another great game from Savolainen, who assisted on Vanisova’s goal and passed the eye test with flying colours.

The Week Ahead

• The team gets a full week off before heading to New York on Saturday to take on the Sirens.
• New York is the only team in the league that is decidedly worse than Ottawa. Even Sarah Fillier hasn’t been able to save them. This should be a winnable game.
• They're only three points behind us, though, so maybe if you already have your sights set on the first overall pick, this is a must-lose game.
• The Charge have won 3 of the 4 meetings between the teams this season.
• Puck drops at noon, and the game will be streamed exclusively on CBC Gem.
• After that, both teams will go to Ottawa on Tuesday for a rematch - their final meeting of the season. It’ll be a 7pm start, unfortunately overlapping with a Sens game, and streaming on Amazon Prime.