In a heart-stopping finish that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Ottawa Charge snatched a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Boston Fleet in Game 3 of their PWHL semifinal series Friday night. With just 29 seconds left on the clock, defender Ronja Savolainen unleashed a shot that ricocheted off the back boards and deflected off goaltender Aerin Frankel's skate, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
The win gives Ottawa a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series, putting them one win away from clinching a spot in the Walter Cup final. The Charge can seal the deal on Sunday in front of their home fans at Canadian Tire Centre.
Fanuza Kadirova also found the back of the net for Ottawa, while goaltender Gwyneth Philips was nothing short of spectacular, turning aside 36 shots to keep her team in the game. On the other side, Liz Schepers scored the lone goal for Boston, and Frankel made 20 saves in a losing effort.
Despite being outshot for the third consecutive game—Boston held a commanding 37-22 edge—the Charge found a way to win. The crowd of 13,112 set a new PWHL playoff attendance record, and they were treated to a masterclass in resilience from their team.
Philips was the star of the third period, making three consecutive saves during a Boston onslaught. The Charge also killed off a late penalty, setting the stage for Savolainen's heroics. "She was the difference-maker," one analyst noted, as Philips consistently denied the Fleet's best chances.
Boston had tied the game early in the second period when Schepers pounced on a rebound from Shay Maloney's shot, finding the wide-open right side of the net. The Fleet continued to press, with Jamie Lee Rattray nearly scoring on a wraparound during a power play, but Philips made a goal-line save to keep the game level.
Ottawa struck first on a power play of their own, as Kadirova fired a shot from the top of the slot that sneaked under Frankel's left pad, with Katerina Mrazova picking up the assist. From there, it was a battle of wills, and the Charge emerged victorious in the dying seconds.
With Game 4 set for Sunday, the Charge have all the momentum. Can they close out the series and punch their ticket to the Walter Cup final? One thing is for sure: if you're a fan of high-stakes hockey, this is a series you won't want to miss.