Ottawa Charge fans got exactly the kind of hockey they love to see. Rebecca Leslie, already one of the most dangerous forwards in the Professional Women's Hockey League, scored the overtime winner to give Ottawa a 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Goldeneyes, her 11th goal of the season, which ties her for the league lead.
The Game-Winning Moment
Leslie's overtime goal capped off a back-and-forth game that had the Ottawa crowd at its feet for most of the night. The Charge had to battle from behind and then hold on in regulation before Leslie delivered the clutch finish that Ottawa needed. Her ability to produce in pressure situations has been a hallmark of her season.
Tying for the league's goal-scoring lead is a significant achievement in a league filled with elite talent. Leslie is emerging as one of the faces of the Ottawa Charge and of women's professional hockey in Canada.
The Ottawa Charge in 2026
The Professional Women's Hockey League has been one of the best stories in Canadian sports since its launch. Ottawa's franchise, the Charge, plays at the Canadian Tire Centre, a historic venue for hockey in the nation's capital, and has developed a passionate local fanbase.
For Ottawa, having a top-tier women's professional hockey team is a point of civic pride. The Charge represent the city on the national stage alongside the men's NHL team, and nights like this overtime victory remind fans why investing in women's hockey is so worthwhile.
PWHL Growing in Ottawa
Attendance and viewership for PWHL games have been strong since the league's inception. Ottawa in particular has embraced the Charge, with the team regularly drawing solid crowds and generating genuine buzz on local sports media and social platforms.
Leslie's leadership and production are a big part of why. When star players deliver memorable moments, an overtime goal to win a tight game. It creates the kind of lasting fan memories that build sustained interest in a sport.
What's Next for Ottawa
With Leslie firing on all cylinders and the Charge picking up important wins, Ottawa's position in the PWHL standings is worth watching as the season progresses. Playoff hockey in Ottawa, whether it's the Senators or the Charge, is always an event, and the Charge have the talent to make a deep run.
Source: CBC Ottawa / CBC Sports
