In the final Takeover Tour game of the season, the Ottawa Charge faced a crucial test following a crushing home loss to New York on Tuesday. The team needed a win to reenter the playoff race, and they found a way to grind out a 2-1 victory against the Boston Fleet in St. Louis. Tereza Vanišová was the hero, scoring two clutch goals just 32 seconds apart in the third period to seal the win. Those back-to-back goals set a new PWHL record, breaking Susanna Tapani's previous mark of 49 seconds. With the win, Ottawa leapfrogged the Minnesota Frost into fourth place, edging them out by a single point.
The victory didn’t come easy, as Ottawa faced relentless pressure from Boston, which was also eager to bounce back from a tough loss. Ottawa struggled to find offensive rhythm throughout much of the game, with their best chances coming late in the third period. Boston’s goaltender Aerin Frankel kept Ottawa at bay, seeing the puck clearly and limiting scoring opportunities, which played a big part in helping her team hold onto the lead until late.
“We found our game in the second period, and you saw it in the third," said Ottawa defender Jincy Roese. "I’m just grateful for the group we have and for the opportunity to play in St. Louis.”
Discipline remains a concern for Ottawa as they took three penalties in the first period and five overall. However, their penalty kill, which had been a weak point all season, stood strong. Ottawa successfully killed off all five of Boston’s power plays, providing a promising sign of improvement in this area. On the other side, Ottawa’s power play came through when it mattered most, with Vanišová scoring the game-winning goal during a key power play.
“They’ve been great the whole season,” Boston Fleet forward Susanna Tapani said. “They go wherever we go and it’s obviously nice to have our fans here as the home team. It actually felt like we were at home today.”
A standout performer for Ottawa was Gwyneth Philips, who has truly risen to the occasion in her rookie season. Her remarkable 27-save performance in net was vital in keeping Ottawa in the game, particularly as Boston surged for an equalizer in the closing minutes. Philips' poise and composure under pressure were key factors in securing the victory.
With this win, Ottawa finishes their Takeover Tour campaign with a 1-0-1-2 record. Next, they’ll face Boston again on Wednesday in a rematch, with the Fleet sure to be hungry for revenge.