OTTAWA — The Ottawa Charge currently hold a playoff position in the Professional Women’s Hockey League with less than half the season remaining. Their upcoming six-game road trip will prove essential in determining whether they can maintain their standing as they face challenging opponents away from home.
With a 5-5-1-7 record, the Charge have yet to secure a regulation win on the road this season, a factor that has left players emphasizing the need to simplify their gameplay to succeed away from their home rink.
Players Emphasize Team Focus Amid Road Game Challenges
Forward Alexa Vasko highlighted the importance of maintaining steady focus during the demanding stretch.
“I really think it’s important that we sort of buy in as a team to take it in increments,”
she said.
“And you know what? We can’t get too high. We can’t get too low. If things get out of hand we have great leaders who bring us back down to earth.”
This mindset is crucial as the Charge prepare for a tough schedule that sees them start their road journey in New York, continue through Vancouver and Minnesota, and participate in the Takeover Tour games in Winnipeg and Calgary, with a stop in Seattle before returning home. Their first home game back is scheduled against the Montreal Victoire on April 3, to be played at the Canadian Tire Centre rather than their usual venue at TD Place.
The Charge’s experience at the Canadian Tire Centre so far is limited, with a single loss recorded at the NHL Senators’ arena.
Coach Acknowledges Grueling Road Trip Ahead
Ottawa Charge coach Carla MacLeod openly recognized the demanding road schedule ahead.
“Yeah, it is a long stretch,”
she admitted.
“We’ve got two sort of hefty road trips, with western swings to start both of them, but we’re not in the industry of complaining or worrying. We know it’s going to be what it is and we need to take advantage of what we do know being on the road.”
Such a lengthy and challenging travel schedule raises concerns, but MacLeod’s focus remains on the team’s ability to adapt and find momentum despite the obstacles.
Inconsistent Performance Creates Pressure for Regulation Wins
The Charge have struggled to hold onto leads during the season, frequently surrendering advantages in key moments. This has resulted in the loss of valuable regulation points, which could prove critical as the playoff race tightens.
While Ottawa leads the league in overtime wins, the distinction between a regulation victory worth three points and an overtime victory worth two points has become increasingly significant. This discrepancy could ultimately affect the team’s playoff fate.
Recent Match Highlights Team’s Resilience and Emerging Talent
In their recent game against the Seattle Torrent, Ottawa showed both promise and vulnerability. After building a strong 2-0 lead in the first period, they faced a 3-3 tie deep into the third period. A late penalty against Seattle gave the Charge a prime scoring opportunity, which forward Fanuza Kadirova seized, netting her second goal of the night and sixth of the season.
Kadirova, a 27-year-old rookie from Kukmor, Russia, has been adjusting to life in Canada and her rookie season in the PWHL. Coach MacLeod noted her steady progress, saying,
“She’s getting more and more comfortable. You know, there is a transition piece for players that are new to this league. Obviously, for her, she’s got a few other hurdles with the language and being to Canada for the first time and those variables, but you can see she’s a player.”
MacLeod expressed confidence in Kadirova’s potential contributions, acknowledging her strong shooting ability and mindset.
Veteran Leadership and New Contributors Strengthen the Team
The Charge have also found value in defender Kathryn Reilly, who joined the team as a free agent last summer after stepping away from hockey to pursue medical school. Reilly’s enthusiasm for the sport led to her return, and she made an immediate impact by assisting on two goals in Wednesday’s game, marking her first points in the league.
When Reilly had the chance to score her first goal, she instead delivered a pass to veteran Emily Clark, who converted a successful 2-on-1 play. Appreciating Reilly’s unselfish play, Clark’s leadership is evident.
Reflecting on being part of the team, Reilly said,
“I think it speaks to Clarkie. She’s such a leader and she’s such a wonderful teammate. It’s such a privilege to be on this team.”
Playoff Prospects Depend on Road Trip Performance
The Ottawa Charge’s ability to handle their demanding road schedule will heavily influence their playoff positioning moving forward. Their demonstrated capacity to rally during games, combined with emerging talents like Kadirova and steady leadership from veterans such as Clark, may help mitigate their road struggles.
As the team returns to Ottawa for the April 3 game against Montreal Victoire, they will look to leverage this stretch to solidify their playoff standing, with the Canadian Tire Centre game offering a fresh atmosphere for home advantage. Maintaining focus and capitalizing on scoring opportunities throughout this phase could prove decisive in the Charge’s pursuit of a successful season.
