The Ottawa Charge are moving on after a gritty, hard-fought 2–1 victory over the Montreal Victoire on home ice. With the win, Ottawa takes the series 3–1 and will now face off against the Minnesota Frost for the Walter Cup.
TD Place was buzzing with 8,011 fans in attendance, including Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, singer Jamie Fine, players from Ottawa Atlético and Ottawa Rapid FC, members of the Czech Embassy, and the Carleton University Women’s Hockey Team.
Montreal came out strong, clearly determined to claw their way back into the series and force a decisive Game 5 back in their own barn. But Ottawa pushed back against Montreal’s pressure, showing the growth and maturity they’ve demonstrated down the final stretch of the regular season and throughout this series.
Ottawa opened the scoring just two minutes into the game when the city’s very own Rebecca Leslie scored her first playoff goal off a rebound from teammate Anna Meixner. It marked the fastest goal of the 2025 postseason and the second-fastest in PWHL playoff history. Ottawa, who opened the scoring in three of the four games this series, are now a perfect 3–0 when scoring first.
One of Ottawa’s biggest advantages throughout the series was their ability to roll four effective forward lines, and that depth was evident once again in Game 4. While Montreal leaned heavily on their top players, with captain Marie-Philip Poulin logging a game-high 25 minutes and 32 seconds, Ottawa maintained steady pressure through every shift. Regardless of which line was on the ice, the Charge consistently generated quality chances, and that balance proved to be a key factor in their success.
“From day one, we've had belief in our group,” said Rebecca Leslie.
“I think that in a season, you're going to have ups and downs. You look at this league, the top two teams are out right now. So, every game is important, and you can't win them all. But for us, we just believe, and we've been playing playoff hockey for the second half of our season.”
Early in the third period, Emily Clark extended the lead with her first playoff goal, unassisted, just 31 seconds in. The goal was challenged for a hand pass but was upheld after review, sparking “You Chose Us” chants from the crowd, something of a staple from fans over these last two home games. That goal stood as the game, and series, winner.
Maureen Murphy responded for Montreal, cutting the lead to 2–1 at 14:58 of the third, but Ottawa’s defence, along with continued outstanding goaltending from rookie Gwyneth Philips, refused to allow the Victoire to get any closer. Philips made 20 saves and now leads all playoff goaltenders with a 1.14 goals-against average and a .956 save percentage.
“From my vantage and for our players, I think as you watch them grow throughout the season, and how we've approached this playoff, our first playoffs, they wear their heart on their sleeve,” said Carla MacLeod.
“It's quite an advantage to be able to see the support in this journey that we have, trying to win a Walter Cup.”
The Charge will have a couple days off before returning to TD Place to host Games 1 and 2 of the Walter Cup Final on Tuesday and Thursday. The series then shifts to Minnesota for Game 3 on Saturday and, if needed, Game 4.