The Ottawa Charge celebrated a decisive 5-1 victory over the New York Sirens on April 18, 2026, a result powered by veteran presence and opportunistic special teams play. Brianne Jenner produced a three-point outing while Jocelyne Larocque added a goal and an assist, combining experience and timing to steer a roster heavy on youth toward a crucial late-season lift. With the regular season winding down and two games remaining, this win widened Ottawa’s margin for the final playoff position.
Sat in front of a sold-out crowd at TD Place, the Charge displayed composure after conceding an early power-play strike. Goaltender Gwyneth Philips made 23 saves to preserve the advantage once Ottawa seized control. The afternoon featured two memorable short-handed breakaways that turned momentum into a multi-goal cushion and underscored how special-teams moments can change the course of a tightly contested standings race.
How the game unfolded
New York struck first on a man advantage when Paetyn Levis finished a shot through traffic, putting the Sirens up before Ottawa answered late in the opening frame. With 61 seconds left in period one, a Jenner attempt diverted off Rebecca Leslie and was upheld following review to knot the score. Midway through the second, Larocque blocked a shot on the penalty kill, followed the play and buried the rebound for what became the game-winning tally. Rookie Peyton Hemp later converted another breakaway on a separate penalty kill, while Ronja Savolainen and Jenner added insurance in the third period. New York’s keeper Kayle Osborne finished with 24 saves in defeat.
Special teams and milestones
The Charge produced three goals in non-even strength situations, including a pair of short-handed finishes — the first time any PWHL club has scored twice while down a skater in one game. Those rushes grew out of aggressive penalty-kill tactics and quick transitions that Ottawa has worked on in practice. Larocque’s shorthanded goal was significant on a personal level: it’s the first shorthanded goal of her career and marked her first regular-season goal as a Charge since she last scored in January 2026. Jenner’s multi-point performance also pushed her past previous single-season bests in assists and points, setting new individual benchmarks for the captain.
Goaltending and records
Gwyneth Philips posted 23 stops and extended an impressive season total, moving into elite territory in league minutes and saves. Her steady work in net helped the Charge protect leads created by those short-handed bursts. The game also set a new attendance mark for Ottawa at TD Place, with 8,605 fans witnessing a late-season atmosphere that felt distinctly playoff-like as chants and energy picked up in the final minutes.
Standing implications and next steps
The victory pushed Ottawa into fourth place and created a five-point cushion over the Sirens and the Toronto Sceptres with two regular-season games remaining. In practical terms, a win of any kind on Wednesday against the Boston Fleet would clinch a postseason berth for the Charge. If Ottawa does not seal its spot then, the campaign would come down to the April 25 matchup with Toronto — a scenario the club has navigated before, including a last-game clincher in a previous season.
Leadership and locker-room impact
Beyond the numbers, the game highlighted how veteran leadership shapes a young roster. Jocelyne Larocque, now the league’s elder stateswoman at 37, has become a touchstone for teammates who value her defensive acumen and calm in tight moments. Players described the chance to learn from Larocque and Jenner as invaluable as the team chases its first Walter Cup. With momentum on their side and the standings advantage secured for now, the Charge head into the final stretch focused on converting that late-season form into a postseason push.
