Table of Contents
On Feb. 28, 2026, the Boston Fleet edged the Ottawa Charge 3-2 in a shootout to claim sole possession of first place in the Professional Women’s Hockey League. The matchup at TD Place offered a compact arc of momentum swings: an early Fleet goal, a third-period Ottawa rally highlighted by a two-goal burst from Rebecca Leslie, and a late Boston equalizer that forced extra skills competition drama.
The contest also showcased a pair of elite netminders. Aerin Frankel stood tall for Boston, while Ottawa starter Gwyneth Philips produced a strong rebound performance. Both goalies were central to a low-scoring, tightly contested game that ultimately required a shootout to decide the victor.
How the game unfolded
Boston opened the scoring in the first period when Alina Müller set up rookie forward Abby Newhook, who found the back of the net with just over five minutes remaining in the frame. Newhook’s finish came from a congested area in front of the crease and represented the lone goal through the game’s first 40 minutes.
After a quiet second period from both sides, Ottawa flipped the script early in the third. With a power play that barely began, Rebecca Leslie converted at 29 seconds left on the advantage to knot the score. Less than two minutes later she struck again, slicing across the slot and wristing a shot past Frankel to give the Charge a 2-1 lead. Leslie’s pair pushed her to 10 goals on the season and tied her with others for the league scoring lead at 16 points.
Late response and the equalizer
Boston did not let the deficit stand. At 13:26 of the third, Alina Müller redirected a shot that glanced off an Ottawa skate and into the net, making it 2-2. The goal forced the game into a shootout after neither side could find the net in overtime. Müller’s puck-redirect underlined her continued hot form following international play, extending a multi-game scoring streak.
Shootout and goaltender duel
The shootout featured the two netminders in high-leverage roles. Frankel stopped multiple attempts and allowed just one shootout goal, while Philips also made several key saves but ultimately took the loss after Boston prevailed. Hannah Brandt finished the night by scoring the decisive attempt, giving the Fleet a 3-2 final and marking Boston’s first shootout victory over Ottawa this season.
Frankel’s performance moved her into the 30-career-win club in PWHL regular-season play, a milestone that highlights her consistency this season. Philips, meanwhile, made 21 saves and continued to show the form that helped her in recent international competition.
Key statistics and records
The game contributed to several notable statistical lines. Boston improved to an 8-3-2-2 record and took a one-point cushion at the top of the standings with 32 points, while Ottawa fell to 4-5-1-7 and sat at 23 points. The matchup was the third straight PWHL game decided by a shootout for Boston, extending a unique streak for the club and making the Fleet the first franchise in the league to play three consecutive shootout games.
Both teams continued to show strength with the man advantage: each scored on a power play during the game, preserving their status near the top of the league in power-play goal percentage. Leslie’s scoring sequence included a power-play marker, part of a recent scoring surge that has seen her tally five goals in four games.
Context and what’s next
The matchup was the first meeting for both clubs since players returned from the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, and the rosters featured a sizeable contingent of Olympians who brought recent tournament intensity to the PWHL ice. Attendance at TD Place was robust, with a near sellout crowd adding to the atmosphere.
Looking ahead, Ottawa prepares to host the Seattle Torrent on Wednesday, Mar. 4, while Boston will travel to face the New York Sirens on Thursday, Mar. 5. Both clubs will aim to build momentum — Boston to sustain its first-place run and Ottawa to climb back into the tighter pack near the playoff picture.
Voices from the bench
Boston players and staff praised their ability to stay composed after yielding a two-goal lead. On the Ottawa side, coaches highlighted Leslie’s composure and finishing touch in the third period, noting her chemistry with linemates and the confidence she brings at key moments.
Ultimately, the game was decided by small margins: a redirected equalizer, precise goaltending, and a calm shootout finish by Brandt. Those elements combined to produce a dramatic post-Olympic chapter in the PWHL season that will reverberate in the standings and in each team’s momentum over the coming weeks.