Record Night, Heartbreaking Result
Ottawa made PWHL history on Good Friday when the Canadian Tire Centre packed in its largest crowd ever for an Ottawa Charge game — and the atmosphere was electric. Unfortunately for the home side, the night ended in disappointment, with the Charge shutout 3-0 by the Montreal Victoire in a game that stings even more given the playoff stakes.
With the regular season in its final stretch and a postseason berth very much on the line, the Charge needed every point they could get. Instead, they were haunted by a familiar face.
A Former Charge Player Steals the Show
The cruelest detail of the night: Ottawa was done in by a goaltender who used to call the nation's capital home. Montreal's backup netminder — a former Charge player — stepped up and delivered a shutout performance against her old team, turning aside every Ottawa shot and denying the Charge the goals they desperately needed.
It's the kind of storyline that writes itself, and not in Ottawa's favour. The crowd that showed up in record numbers to cheer on their team was instead treated to a masterclass from someone who once wore the same colours.
Playoff Picture Gets Tighter
The loss couldn't have come at a worse time. The Charge are in the thick of the PWHL playoff race, and dropping two points to a direct rival like Montreal tightens the standings considerably. Every remaining game now carries outsized importance, and the team will need to regroup quickly if they want to keep their postseason dreams alive.
Despite the loss, Friday night proved something important: Ottawa is fully behind this team. A franchise-record crowd showing up for a regular season game — on a holiday weekend, no less — is a statement. The fanbase is here, it's growing, and it wants to see the Charge succeed.
Ottawa's PWHL Love Affair Continues
Since the PWHL launched, Ottawa has been one of the league's most passionate markets. The Charge have steadily built a loyal following at the CTC, and nights like this — even in defeat — reinforce just how much this team means to the city.
For a franchise still finding its footing in a brand new league, drawing the biggest crowd in team history is a milestone worth celebrating, regardless of the final score. The players know they have the city behind them.
Now comes the hard part: translating that energy into wins. The Charge have the talent and the home support — they just need to put it together on the ice when it matters most.
Source: Ottawa Citizen. Original article by Ottawa Citizen sports staff.
