Ottawa Charge Faces Boston Fleet in Thrilling PWHL Showdown Tonight

LOWELL, Mass. — The Ottawa Charge and Boston Fleet are set to clash tonight at the Tsongas Center at 7 p.m. ET in a pivotal matchup of the Premier Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). With both teams vying for playoff positioning, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

The Ottawa Charge (10-1-4) currently sit in fifth place with 36 points, led by top scorer Tereza Vanišová who boasts 20 points this season. The Charge are looking to build on their momentum following a narrow 2-1 victory against the Fleet last week, marking Ottawa’s first win against Boston this season.

On the other side, the Boston Fleet (8-6-4) are in third place and lead the season series with the Charge 10-5 in points. Fleet captain Hilary Knight, a standout with 28 points this season, aims to extend her impressive performance as Boston seeks to solidify its playoff berth.

Both teams are familiar with back-to-back games. The Charge have faced a similar challenge recently, playing teams twice within close intervals with mixed outcomes. Head coach Carla MacLeod noted, “We’ve managed to stay our course. The back-to-back games give it a playoff feel, which is exciting.”

Boston also recently faced off against teams in quick succession, most notably winning consecutive games against the New York Sirens in January. Knights expressed the importance of maintaining focus, stating, “We need to put together a full 60 minutes to capitalize on our opportunities tonight.”

Tonight’s game features the Charge aiming to replicate their most recent effort, where Vanišová scored two goals in a record-setting 32 seconds. Her explosive performance not only set a league record for the fastest two goals but also makes her a player to watch tonight.

Additionally, Ottawa rookie goaltender Gwyneth Philips has emerged as a pivotal player for the Charge, leading all PWHL rookie goaltenders with 231 saves across 11 starts. Her experience against the Fleet will be crucial in tonight’s showdown.

Boston’s Aerin Frankel, a seasoned goaltender, has also been a force this season, recording at least 20 saves in all but one game. Her strong defensive performance will be critical as the Fleet look to exploit their scoring opportunities against Ottawa.

The game is also marked by community engagement, as the Fleet will host a Pride Unity Game presented by e.l.f., featuring various activations and partnerships with local LGBTQ+ organizations. Fans can participate in a mixer prior to the game and witness the ceremonial puck drop by UMass Lowell Chancellor, Julie Chen, a supporter of LGBTQ+ rights.

As both teams prepare for the challenge ahead, the intensity is palpable. With only a few games left before the IIHF Women’s World Championship, every point counts in this thrilling race for playoff spots.