Charge continue finding rhythm through ‘hectic schedule’ with win over Fleet

OTTAWA – The Ottawa Charge might not be sitting where they want to be in the standings but feel they’re trending in the right direction.

Following a 3-2 shootout win over the league-leading Boston Fleet (6-0-1-1) Saturday afternoon, the Charge (1-3-0-5) moved into sixth and will take advantage of a six-day break before they’re back in action next Saturday.

Ottawa has played a league-high nine games to this point and played its last five on the road creating a less than ideal schedule.

With the team’s next two on home ice, head coach Carla MacLeod said the team will get a well deserved few days rest.

The Charge barely had a breather over the Christmas break. The team travelled home following a 4-3 overtime win over the Toronto Sceptres on Tuesday night and arrived in Ottawa in the early morning hours, took Thursday off and were back on the ice Friday to prepare for the game against the Fleet.

“I told them to enjoy their break,” said MacLeod. “We haven’t really had a break. We really just had Christmas Day off, but we were in market. 

“It’s been a hectic schedule for us up to this point, from the international break to this point, so we’re able to string a few days in a row where they can go be people … it’s just about getting rested and recovered and getting excited to go back to the rink again.”

The break will likely feel that much better following a strong performance against Boston.

Ottawa has struggled to score in the first period to this point, with just four goals in the first 20 minutes, but finding a way to beat Boston’s Aerin Frankel in the first was key for the Charge.

“I think we’ve had a few first periods where we’ve come out really hot, so it was nice to get rewarded for that,” said captain Brianne Jenner. “I think we’ve just got to be more consistent in every period.”

Ottawa appears to bring its best in the third, with eight goals scored, compared to four in both the first and second periods.

While slow starts aren’t ideal, it does say something about the team’s mentality.

Prior to Saturday’s game, the Charge had won their last two in overtime.

“I think we’ve shown on the road trip and then coming back home that we are a team that doesn’t quit,” Jenner said. “I think we can take a lot of confidence from this game, but I think at the same time, we’re not fully satisfied with that effort.”

Jenner added that the team realizes there’s areas that need to be cleaned up, but knowing they have the ability to get back in games goes a long way.

One of those areas should be cutting back on the number of shots allowed. 

Ottawa goaltender Gwyneth Philips, who leads the league in playing time, has faced a league high 273 shots, with Boston’s Frankel is second with 191.

While Philips says she has no concerns about the workload, it could become an issue down the stretch, especially considering she will also be heading to Italy for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games.

“We’ve got a really great staff of medical team to make sure I’m staying healthy,” said Philips. “I’ll keep doing my part, making sure I’m taking care of myself after games and during practices.”

Philips says while the shot count can often be high, her teammates do a good job of keeping things to the outside, which often make things less taxing.

With seven games before the Olympic break, the Charge know they need to be at their best to move themselves into playoff contention.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2025.