Gwyneth Philips Brilliant As Ottawa Evens The Series With Game Two Win Over Boston

Credit: The PWHL

Ottawa came away with the victory in game two, but with the good comes the bad, as there remain areas of opportunity heading into the third game of the series. All of those opportunities boil down to one thing: the Charge taking their foot off the gas, which is something fans have seen throughout the season. Ottawa was guilty too many times of watching the game unfold in front of them rather than dictating its pace. Too many shots on goal followed, an ingredient which does not make for a very good recipe against a Fleet team poised to take control at any moment.

Enter, from stage left, Gwyneth Philips, who once again showed why she is the pillar and backbone of this team. Philips finished with 31 saves, many of which were high-danger scoring chances that she handled with the ease of just about any other shot she faced. Of course, goals win games, but big-time saves help secure victories, and that's exactly what Philips did. She made up for the turnovers, the broken plays, and the difficulties exiting their own zone. Philips remains so integral to this team's success that each roster player owes her something very expensive.

Credit: The PWHL

A win is a win, no matter how imperfect it may have been, and game two was a good example of just that. While it's certainly easier said than done, the Ottawa Charge will have to regain their late-season form that led to so much success and combine it with the momentum from this victory as the series heads to the Canadian Tire Centre on Friday. And maybe, just maybe, give Philips an easier game.