Ottawa's professional women's hockey team is playoff-bound, and the Charge are ready to make some noise.
The Ottawa Charge travelled to Lowell, Massachusetts, ahead of their first-round PWHL playoff matchup against the Boston Fleet — and by all accounts, the squad is locked in and hungry. CBC's Emma Weller caught up with players at practice the day before Game 1, and the mood in the building was focused, confident, and just a little bit fired up.
A Season of Building Toward This Moment
The Charge have been one of the more exciting teams to watch in the PWHL this season, blending veteran leadership with a young core that plays fast and physical. Making the playoffs isn't just a milestone — it's validation of the work the organization has put in both on and off the ice.
For Ottawa fans, this is the kind of postseason hockey moment the city lives for. The Charge have been building a passionate local fanbase since joining the league, and their playoff run is already generating serious buzz across the capital.
Facing the Fleet
Boston is no pushover. The Fleet have been one of the stronger teams in the PWHL this year, and a first-round matchup against them is a genuine test of where Ottawa stands among the league's elite. Playing Game 1 on the road in Lowell adds another layer of challenge — but road playoff games have a way of bringing teams even closer together.
The Charge players who spoke with Weller didn't sound rattled. The message was clear: they've prepared for this, they trust each other, and they're ready to compete.
Why This Matters for Ottawa
Women's professional hockey has had a complicated history in terms of league stability and media attention, but the PWHL is changing that narrative — and Ottawa has been a big part of the story. The Charge represent something real for hockey fans in the city who want to see elite women's hockey thrive long-term.
A deep playoff run would do wonders for the team's profile heading into next season, both in terms of fan engagement and the broader conversation about the PWHL's growing footprint in Canada.
How to Watch
If you're an Ottawa fan who can't make the trip to Massachusetts, check CBC and the PWHL's broadcast partners for Game 1 coverage. This is exactly the kind of playoff hockey worth clearing your evening for.
The Charge have worked all season to earn this shot. Now it's time to see what they can do when the stakes are at their highest.
Go Charge go.
Source: CBC Ottawa. Reporting by Emma Weller from Lowell, Massachusetts.
