Ottawa Charge secured the final PWHL playoff spot with a 3-0 win over the Toronto Sceptres, thanks to a strong performance from goaltender Gwyneth Philips, who made 41 saves. The Charge will face either the Boston Fleet or Montreal Victoire in the playoffs.
Key points
Ottawa Charge defeated Toronto Sceptres 3-0
Gwyneth Philips made 41 saves
Charge secured final PWHL playoff berth
Charge scored three goals from Kadirova, Wozniewicz, and Vasko
Ottawa will face Boston Fleet or Montreal Victoire in playoffs
Ottawa ChargeToronto SceptresProfessional Women’s Hockey LeagueBoston Fleet
Ottawa Charge's Alexa Vasko, center, celebrates with teammates after her empty-net goal against the Toronto Sceptres during third-period PWHL hockey game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ottawa Charge's goaltender Gwyneth Philips (33) blocks a shot on net against the Toronto Sceptres during the second period of a PWHL hockey game in Ottawa, Ontario, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Toronto Sceptres' Claire Dalton (42) takes a shot on Ottawa Charge's goaltender Gwyneth Philips (33) during the second period of a PWHL hockey game in Ottawa, Ontario, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ottawa Charge's goaltender Gwyneth Philips (33) tries to make a save while being pressured by Toronto Sceptres' Renata Fast (14) during the second period of a PWHL hockey game in Ottawa, Ontario, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ottawa Charge's Rebecca Leslie (37) pins Toronto Sceptres' Kali Flanagan (6) against the boards while battling for the puck during the first period of a PWHL hockey game in Ottawa, Ontario, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Q&A
How did the Ottawa Charge secure their playoff spot?
The Ottawa Charge secured their playoff spot by defeating the Toronto Sceptres 3-0, with key goals from Fanuza Kadirova, Sarah Wozniewicz, and Alexa Vasko.
Who were the standout players in the Ottawa Charge vs. Toronto Sceptres game?
Gwyneth Philips stood out as the goaltender for Ottawa, stopping 41 shots, while Alexa Vasko, Sarah Wozniewicz, and Fanuza Kadirova scored the goals.
What does the Ottawa Charge's playoff appearance mean for the team?
This marks the Ottawa Charge's second playoff appearance in the Professional Women’s Hockey League, highlighting their competitive growth.
Who will the Ottawa Charge face in the playoffs?
The Ottawa Charge will face either the Boston Fleet or Montreal Victoire in the playoffs, pending the outcome of other games.
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PWHL Sceptres Charge Hockey
Ottawa Charge's Alexa Vasko, center, celebrates with teammates after her empty-net goal against the Toronto Sceptres during third-period PWHL hockey game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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PWHL Sceptres Charge Hockey
Ottawa Charge's Alexa Vasko, center, celebrates with teammates after her empty-net goal against the Toronto Sceptres during third-period PWHL hockey game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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PWHL Sceptres Charge Hockey
Ottawa Charge's goaltender Gwyneth Philips (33) blocks a shot on net against the Toronto Sceptres during the second period of a PWHL hockey game in Ottawa, Ontario, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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PWHL Sceptres Charge Hockey
Toronto Sceptres' Claire Dalton (42) takes a shot on Ottawa Charge's goaltender Gwyneth Philips (33) during the second period of a PWHL hockey game in Ottawa, Ontario, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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PWHL Sceptres Charge Hockey
Ottawa Charge's goaltender Gwyneth Philips (33) tries to make a save while being pressured by Toronto Sceptres' Renata Fast (14) during the second period of a PWHL hockey game in Ottawa, Ontario, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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PWHL Sceptres Charge Hockey
Ottawa Charge's Rebecca Leslie (37) pins Toronto Sceptres' Kali Flanagan (6) against the boards while battling for the puck during the first period of a PWHL hockey game in Ottawa, Ontario, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Gwyneth Philips stopped 41 shots as the Ottawa Charge defeated the Toronto Sceptres 3-0 on Saturday to capture the final Professional Women’s Hockey League playoff berth.
Fanuza Kadirova, Sarah Wozniewicz and Alexa Vasko scored for Ottawa, which will make its second playoff appearance.
Raygan Kirk had 28 saves for Toronto.
Ottawa will now wait to find out if it will play either the Boston Fleet or Montreal Victoire in the playoffs.
The Sceptres came into the game needing a regulation win to leapfrog the Charge for the final playoff spot but came up short for the second straight year.
Leading 1-0, Ottawa extended its advantage just 1:03 into the third when Toronto’s Kali Flanagan turned the puck over at her own blue line. That allowed Charge captain Brianne Jenner to find Wozniewicz all alone and beat Kirk off her backhand.
Vasko added an empty-net goal with just over four minutes remaining to seal the victory.
The Charge opened the scoring early in the second.
With a battle in front for the puck Michela Cava made a cross-crease pass to Kadirova, who took the pass off her skate to her stick to beat Kirk to the short side.
The goal changed the momentum of the game. Toronto dominated play early in the contest but the Charge fed off the energy of the goal and had sustained pressure numerous times throughout the period.
Ottawa thought it had opened the scoring near the seven-minute mark when Brooke McQuigge fired a shot that initially looked like a goal. But the review showed the puck hit the crossbar and never crossed the goal line.
Up next
Charge: Playoff game against a yet to be determined opponent.
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