Ottawa Charge fans rolled up to Place Bell in style ahead of Game 2 of the Walter Cup final — arriving by chartered bus and limousine to make sure the Montreal Victoire knew exactly who they were dealing with.
CBC Ottawa's Emma Weller caught up with the Ottawa faithful as they made their grand entrance to the arena, and it's safe to say the energy was exactly what you'd expect from a fanbase that has fully bought in on women's pro hockey in the capital.
Charging Into Enemy Territory
Travelling to a rival city for a championship game is a commitment. Doing it in a limo? That's a statement.
The Ottawa fans who made the trip to Place Bell in Laval weren't just showing up — they were showing out. Whether they rented the bus to pack in as many Charge jerseys as possible or simply wanted to arrive in championship fashion, the message was clear: Ottawa's hockey crowd doesn't half-heartedly follow their team into the Walter Cup final.
This kind of road-trip fandom has become a hallmark of the PWHL era. Since the league launched, Ottawa has developed one of the most passionate supporter cultures in the circuit, with fans packing TD Place and — as we've now seen — caravanning across provincial borders when the stakes are highest.
A Final Worth the Fanfare
The Walter Cup final between the Ottawa Charge and the Montreal Victoire is exactly the kind of matchup women's hockey fans dreamed about when the PWHL launched. Two Canadian cities, a deep-seated hockey rivalry, and a championship on the line — it doesn't get much better than that.
For Ottawa, reaching the final represents a milestone moment for the franchise and for the city's growing connection to the PWHL. The Charge have built a loyal following, and scenes like a fan bus rolling into Laval show how quickly that bond has deepened.
Ottawa Hockey Culture on Full Display
Ottawa is a hockey city through and through — and the Charge have tapped into that in a big way. Fans who have been following women's hockey for years are finally seeing it get the spotlight it deserves, while new supporters are discovering just how exciting the game is at the elite level.
The limo crew at Place Bell is a perfect symbol of where the Ottawa Charge fanbase is right now: invested, enthusiastic, and absolutely refusing to let a little thing like a road game slow them down.
Whether the Charge bring the Walter Cup home to Ottawa remains to be seen — but one thing is certain: their fans will be loud, proud, and possibly arriving in a stretch limousine every step of the way.
Source: CBC Ottawa
