As the inaugural season of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) reaches its climax, the Ottawa Charge are set to face the formidable Montréal Victoire tonight in a highly anticipated playoff showdown at Place Bell. This best-of-five series marks the beginning of the Charge's quest for playoff glory, after a regular season filled with ups and downs.
The Charge entered the playoffs as the third seed, finishing the regular season with 44 points. However, it was a bumpy ride to get there, as they lost their final three games in regulation, leaving fans disappointed at the missed opportunity for a stronger finish. The Senators, Ottawa's NHL counterpart, are also experiencing their own playoff drought, adding to the sense of urgency for the Charge to deliver some postseason excitement.
Despite their struggles, the Charge managed to secure a semi-final berth against the Victoire, who opted to face Ottawa rather than the Minnesota Frost, who finished fourth. This decision was influenced by the PWHL's tie-breaking rules, which favored Ottawa's performance in regulation wins. "Three teams have finished with 44 points," said Danièle Sauvageau, general manager of the Victoire. "The ranks 3, 4, and 5 were determined by the games won in regulation time. It’s a mix of factors that led us to choose Ottawa. I think teams prepare based on the opponent in front of them, and that’s the case for us as well."
Statistically, the Victoire hold a clear advantage heading into this matchup. They finished the regular season with a commendable record, scoring an average of 2.56 goals per game and allowing only 2.23 goals against, ranking second in both categories. In contrast, the Charge struggled offensively and defensively, sitting near the bottom of the league in both metrics.
Leading the charge for the Victoire is none other than Marie-Philip Poulin, who has been a standout performer this season. Poulin led the league with 19 goals and ranked fourth in total points with 26. "It’s a series that’s going to be intense," stated Sauvageau. "The fans are very engaged, and I expect there will be people in both buildings. For our teams, for the sport, everything is magical in this series."
On the flip side, Ottawa’s key player is Teresa Vanišová, who tallied 22 points this season, making her the highest scorer for the Charge. She will be joined by teammates Emily Clark and Shiann Darkangelo, who contributed 19 and 17 points, respectively. Vanišová will face her former team, having played for the Victoire during the inaugural season of the league.
In goal, the Charge will likely rely on rookie Gwyneth Philips, as regular goalie Emerance Maschmeyer is unlikely to play in the semi-finals. Philips has made a name for herself with a .919 save percentage over 15 games, and Ottawa will need her to step up in this critical series. "We’ll see if she can steal some games for Ottawa," said a Charge spokesperson.
The teams have faced each other six times during the regular season, with the Victoire holding a 4-2-0 advantage. However, it’s worth noting that Ottawa managed to win the last two encounters, which could boost their confidence heading into the playoffs.
As the excitement builds for tonight's game, fans from both sides are gearing up for what promises to be an electrifying atmosphere at Place Bell. "It’s very exciting," said Sandrine Gendron, a devoted Victoire fan. With the puck set to drop at 7:00 PM Eastern, viewers can catch all the action live on TSN 1 and 5.
Looking ahead, the second game of the series will take place on May 11, 2025, at Place Bell, before the teams shift to TD Place in Ottawa for Games 3 and 4 on May 13 and May 16, respectively. If necessary, a decisive Game 5 will be held in Laval on May 18, 2025. The stakes are high, and both teams are eager to claim their spot in the LPHF final, where they would face either the Toronto Sceptres or the Minnesota Frost.
With the playoff journey officially beginning, the Charge and Victoire are ready to leave it all on the ice. Fans are hopeful that Ottawa can defy the odds and make a deep playoff run, while Montréal aims to capitalize on their strong season and finally capture the elusive Walter Cup. The action is set to unfold, and all eyes will be on Place Bell as the puck drops tonight.
