The Ottawa Charge extended their franchise-best winning streak to six games, proving their ability to win in different ways. Key contributions from their top line and strong depth, plus resilience in clutch moments, reflect a team that has found its identity.
The Ottawa Charge continue to find ways to win.
Their latest result extended the team’s winning streak to six games, the longest run in franchise history, and it has come without relying on any one approach. During this stretch, the Charge have won when trailing, in overtime, in shootouts, and in games decided at five-on-five.
Both of Ottawa’s recent shootout wins over the Fleet came after late third-period goals that forced extra time, and echo an earlier win against the Toronto Sceptres. In that game, the team scored three unanswered goals to force overtime, where they secured their second straight win thanks to Rebecca Leslie. These examples show the team’s resilience and their ability to perform when the cards appear to be stacked against them. Forward Alexa Vasko attributes that to the group’s strong belief in one another. “I just think ultimately, it’s the belief in one another. I think especially when we’re down in a game, when we come back in the locker room, no one’s hanging their heads. There is just an ultimate belief in every single one of us in the locker room.”
Special teams are also worth discussing, as the Charge struggled in this game, failing to score on the power play (0-for-5), yet they still secured the victory. While Ottawa is currently tied for the league lead in power-play percentage at 20% and ranks fifth in penalty killing at 82.6%, this winning streak demonstrates that they can generate enough offence at even strength without relying on their special-teams performance.
That commitment to five-on-five has carried over to the defensive side as well, with noticeable improvement during this streak. Going into this game, the Charge had 106 blocked shots, showing their willingness to protect the front of the net and clear lanes for their goaltenders. They've also been quicker to clear the puck and transition the puck out of the zone, preventing multiple scoring opportunities.
Offensively, the top line of Sarah Wozniewicz, Brianne Jenner, and Rebecca Leslie has led the way, combining for ten goals and seven assists over the six games, excluding the shootout. Interestingly though, when this line isn't clicking at any particular moment, the depth of the team has stepped up in order to secure the win. Their last game against Boston saw Fanuza Kadirova and Gabbie Hughes combine to help the team reach extra frames.
Ottawa's strongest period remains the third, indicating how comfortable the team is playing from behind, unafraid of momentum swings, and using the confidence in one another to close out the game.
All streaks have an expiration date, but for the Charge, it hasn't just been about the wins, but about finding different ways to do so. And along the way, they build an identity which makes them a formidable opponent despite what the standings may indicate.