Ottawa's Charge Are Ready for Their Walter Cup Moment
Ottawa's own PWHL team, the Charge, are heading into the Walter Cup Final against the Montreal Victoire — and the city could not be more ready to get behind them.
The series kicks off Thursday, and according to Ottawa Citizen Charge writer Natasha Baldin, this run carries a particular edge for the squad. Speaking on a special edition of Sens 1-on-1 with veteran hockey journalist Bruce Garrioch, Baldin called this a shot at redemption — framing the Final as more than just a championship chase, but a chance for the Charge to put right what didn't go their way in previous seasons.
Why This Feels Different
The PWHL is still a young league, but it's been one of the most exciting stories in professional hockey since its inaugural season. Ottawa came in with high expectations from the start — a passionate fanbase, a strong roster, and the kind of organizational backing that signalled serious intent. Reaching the Final validates everything that's been built here.
Montreal is no easy opponent. The Victoire are a talented, well-coached team, and a cross-province rivalry adds a layer of storyline that hockey fans in both cities are savouring. But the Charge have earned this spot, and they'll be playing with the kind of hunger that comes from knowing how close — and how frustrating — a championship chase can feel when it slips away.
What the Final Means for Ottawa
For Ottawa sports fans, this is a moment worth celebrating regardless of what happens next. The Charge have given this city a women's professional hockey team to genuinely rally around — and the Walter Cup Final is the biggest possible stage.
Attendance and fan engagement have been a bright spot across the PWHL, and Ottawa's supporters have shown up consistently. Expect the noise to get louder as the series unfolds. Whether games are watched at home, at a sports bar on Elgin Street, or in person, this is Ottawa hockey — and the city is paying attention.
The Series to Watch
The Charge vs. Victoire Final has everything: a rivalry with natural geographic and cultural stakes, talented players on both sides, and a league proving game by game that women's professional hockey belongs at the top of the sports calendar.
Natasha Baldin, who covers the Charge day-to-day for the Ottawa Citizen, has been one of the best follows for anyone wanting real insight into this team's journey — and her conversation with Garrioch is worth a watch for any fan wanting the full picture heading into Game 1.
Thursday can't come soon enough. Go Charge.
Source: Ottawa Citizen — Sens 1-on-1 with Bruce Garrioch and Natasha Baldin
