The PWHL semifinal series is heating up as the Ottawa Charge and Boston Fleet compete for series supremacy. With the series tied 1-1, the crucial Game 3 is set to take place in Ottawa. This matchup is scheduled for today at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, airing live on TSN and available for streaming on TSN.ca and the TSN App.
Game Highlights and Key Players
Boston took an early lead in the series, winning the first game on April 30 with a score of 2-1. Alina Muller and Jamie Lee Rattray scored in the second period, while Aerin Frankel made 17 saves in goal. Ottawa responded in Game 2, bouncing back with a 3-1 victory. Key contributions came from Ronja Savolainen, Fanuza Kadirova, and Gabbie Hughes, and Gwyneth Philips made 30 saves to secure the win.
Team Performance
- Ottawa Charge:
- Goals in Game 2 by Savolainen, Kadirova, Hughes.
- Philips recorded 30 saves.
- Captain Brianne Jenner and Emily Clark have yet to score in the series.
- Boston Fleet:
- Muller leads the team with three points.
- Frankel held the Charge to just one goal in Game 1.
- Defender Megan Keller logged substantial ice time, over 30 minutes in both games.
Injury and Schedule Notes
Interestingly, both teams have experienced an unusually long break of nearly a week between Games 2 and 3. The last match took place on Saturday, giving teams ample time to regroup and strategize.
Veteran Contributions
Veteran defender Jocelyne Larocque has been a standout for the Charge. She has accumulated three points so far in the postseason, including the lone goal in Game 1 and two assists in the victory of Game 2. At 37 years old, she averages over 23 minutes on the ice per game, demonstrating significant endurance and skill.
Looking Ahead
The Ottawa Charge aim to return to the PWHL Finals for a second consecutive year. In contrast, the Boston Fleet is striving for their first finals appearance since the league began in 2024. The outcome of today’s game is not just pivotal for the series lead, but also for the aspirations of both teams moving forward.
