Ottawa Charge Leave It All on the Ice in Double Overtime Classic
Ottawa was treated to a masterclass in playoff grit on Sunday afternoon as the Ottawa Charge stretched Game 4 beyond regulation — and then beyond a first overtime — before finally putting it away in double overtime at Canadian Tire Centre.
It was the kind of game that reminds you why live hockey is unlike anything else in sports. Fans who made their way to Scotiabank Place's home — Canadian Tire Centre — held their breath through two extra periods of tense, back-and-forth play before the Charge finally broke through and closed the chapter.
A Building That's Seen It All — and Still Had More to Give
Canadian Tire Centre has been the backdrop for countless memorable Ottawa hockey moments, from Senators playoff runs to junior hockey magic. On Sunday, the arena added another chapter to that storied history — this time written by the women of the Charge.
Ottawa Citizen photographer Tony Caldwell was rinkside capturing every tense faceoff, every scramble in front of the net, and the eventual moment of celebration. His lens documented what thousands of fans witnessed in person: a team that simply would not quit.
Double overtime is a special kind of pressure. Every shift could be the last. Every shot carries the weight of everything. For Ottawa supporters who stuck around through the tension of a tied game — and then a tied overtime — the payoff was enormous.
What This Means for Ottawa's PWHL Season
The PWHL, now in its second season, has given Ottawa something the city has quietly craved for years: elite women's professional hockey with a home team to root for. The Charge have built a loyal and passionate fanbase in a relatively short time, and moments like Sunday's double-overtime win are exactly why.
Ottawa has always been a hockey town. The Senators have defined generations of local identity, and the 67s have developed talent in this city for decades. But the Charge represent something new — a professional women's team that belongs to Ottawa, plays here, and is giving this city its own chapter in women's hockey history.
When a team fights that hard, through regulation and into a second overtime, it sends a message. It tells the fans, the league, and anyone watching: Ottawa isn't going anywhere.
The Kind of Game You Talk About for Years
Double overtime finishes are rare. They're exhausting and beautiful in equal measure. Players are running on adrenaline and instinct by the time the second extra period rolls around, and the team that finds a way to score is usually the team with the deepest reserves of character.
Ottawa saw that character on Sunday. Whether it was the goaltending, the defensive structure, or the relentless pressure up front, the Charge showed what they're made of.
If you weren't at Canadian Tire Centre for this one, the photos from the Ottawa Citizen's Tony Caldwell tell the story vividly. But if Sunday's game is any indication, there are more moments like this ahead — and Ottawa fans would be wise to find a seat.
Source: Ottawa Citizen. Photos by Tony Caldwell.
