It’s late in the season, and once again, the Ottawa Charge are staring down a playoff spot that’s theirs to take. They’ve been here before—playing games that matter, with everything on the line. But this time? There’s a different energy. They look more composed. More confident. And far more dangerous.
With tonight's game against Minnesota, Ottawa only needs one point to lock in a playoff spot. It’s their final regular-season home game, and they’re determined to leave it all on the ice in front of their fans—knowing how much that crowd support means at this pivotal moment.
This team has found its stride—and at just the right time. Riding a three-game win streak, including a dramatic finish at home against Montreal, the Charge aren’t shying away from high-pressure moments. It’s a sign of their growth, not just as players, but as a group that fully trusts one another. They believe in each other, knowing that no matter the score, they’ll always find a way.
“We always want to win,” said defender Ronja Savolainen.
“For [Minnesota], it’s do or die. For us, it’s just about going out there and playing our game. We know that if we play 60 full minutes like we can, no one can beat us. I feel that we’ve just found something—we fight for each other, we do it for each other.”
That mindset is exactly what head coach Carla MacLeod has been building all season. And now, with the postseason on the line, it’s showing up, game after game.
“You just keep your head in the right lane,” MacLeod said. “There’s a task to be done, and it’s no different than any other game we’ve played. We just have to make sure we’re executing the way we know we can.”
The Ottawa Charge will close out their regular season with a Saturday afternoon road game against their provincial rivals. By that time, the team will be hoping they’ve already secured their spot in the postseason.