3 Takeaways From Charge’s 3-2 OT Loss to Victoire in Game 1 of Walter Cup Finals

On Thursday, May 14, the Ottawa Charge took on the Montreal Victoire for Game 1 of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) Walter Cup Finals. 

The Charge had a power-play opportunity in the first period, but they couldn’t capitalize on it. Both teams had a power play in the second, but it was the Charge who scored first at even strength late in the middle frame. The Victoire scored to tie the game in the middle of the third period, but the Charge scored again three minutes later to retake the lead. Montreal tied the game with seconds to spare, and the two teams were headed to overtime. Just two minutes into extra hockey, the Victoire scored, giving Ottawa a 3-2 loss to kick off the Finals. 

Leslie Struck Twice

Late in the second period, Rebecca Leslie gained control of the puck on a turnover. She skated into the Charge’s zone and fired a shot at Ann-Renee Desbiens. She made the initial save, but Leslie picked up the rebound. On her second chance, she scored the first goal of the Walter Cup Finals. 

In the middle of the third period, the Victoire tied up the game. However, it didn’t stay that way for long. Three minutes later, Sarah Wozniewicz gained control of the puck and passed it to Leslie. The two skated up to the Charge’s zone on a two-on-one chance. Leslie got up to the net, stalled, and sent it into the net to give Ottawa the lead once more. 

Leslie has been a bright spot for the Charge throughout these playoffs. She now has three goals and two assists for five points. She currently leads the team in points. Her, Wozniewicz, and Brianne Jenner make up the first line, and her scoring ability in this game demonstrated why. 

Leslie only played 17 minutes, the least amount of ice time she has received since the playoffs began. However, she showed that it doesn’t matter how much time you put on the ice, but how you spend it. Her two goals gave the Charge a fighting chance, but unfortunately, the rest of the team couldn’t find the back of the net to take Game 1. 

Philips Was Strong as Always

Gwyneth Philips continues to be the star for the Charge. She made 23 saves on 26 shots, earning her a save percentage (SV%) of .885. This was her lowest SV% of the playoffs, but she still had a strong performance. She kept her team in the game and gave them a fighting chance. She also staved off the first 13 shots Montreal took in the first two periods. 

This is the Walter Cup Finals, so it is the two best teams in the 2025-26 PWHL season going head-to-head. The goaltending has been exceptional this season for several teams, and the Charge is one of them. Philips had a strong game; she just needs to dust herself off and get right back to it on Saturday. 

Charge Need to Keep Special Teams Strong 

The Charge continue to have the best penalty kill in the playoffs. They gave up three power plays to Montreal. Lucky for Ottawa, the Victoire didn’t score on either of their extra-player advantages. The Charge have been shorthanded 19 times in the playoffs and have only allowed the opposing team one power-play goal. Their penalty kill percentage improves to 94.7%. 

The Victoire currently have the best power-play percentage of the playoffs, scoring three goals on 15 power-play chances. The Charge kept their penalty kill strong in Game 1, but they will need to do the same throughout the series to give themselves a fighting chance. 

Charge Need to Regroup for Saturday

The Charge will have a day of rest before taking on the Victoire again for Game 2 on Saturday, May 16, at 2 PM ET.