I apologize in advance for the word count on this breakdown. I could have said so much more, but I promise I didn’t.

The Ottawa Charge will face the Boston Fleet in the semifinals, starting Thursday in Boston. I’m working on a full breakdown now, but would love to hear from you: thoughts on that matchup?

Brianne Jenner spoke with the media following the playoff clinching game, and spoke about how the group came together and learned from early season mistakes.

What’s better than the Charge clinching their playoff spot yesterday? How about finding out that head coach Carla MacLeod will return behind the bench? That’s right, Charge fans: Carla MacLeod returns after stepping away for the past five games.

Sure, Issy Wunder can score but did you also know that she’s a huge fan of Broadway musicals? It may seem a little unorthodox, but hey, it seems to be working, am I right? Discover more about Issy Wunder on Episode 120 of Rinkside Rundown: www.rinksiderundown.ca/p/issy-wunde...

Issy Wunder heads into the 2026 PWHL Draft as the top-ranked Canadian, and for good reason. She is a threat every shift, and she knows how to step up in big moments. Discover more about Issy Wunder on Episode 120 of Rinkside Rundown, out now: www.rinksiderundown.ca/p/issy-wunde...

University of Minnesota forward Jamie Nelson pushed herself outside her comfort zone in order to pursue her ultimate goal of playing professional hockey. After a career year, she now waits to hear her name called at the PWHL Draft. My story for The Hockey News: thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/...

The Ottawa Charge made team history this weekend as they surpassed 100,000 total fans during the 2025-26 season. It’s the first time the team has hit that milestone.

Minnesota’s Kelly Pannek has been named the PWHL’s Points Leader and Top Goal Scorer. Pannek had 16 goals and 33 points this season, an increase of 22 points from her totals last season. Rebecca Leslie finished tied for second in goals (14) with Jessie Eldridge.

Make it official: The Montreal Victoire have finished first in the league and will now have the opportunity to select their semifinal opponent. The Vancouver Goldeneyes have secured the first overall draft pick in the upcoming 2026 PWHL Draft.

The Ottawa Charge shut out the Toronto Sceptres 3-0, securing their second consecutive trip to the postseason. As I wrote for The Hockey News, the win highlighted the growth and maturity of this group, and how they came together at the exact right time. thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/...

Some Brianne Jenner stats for you: • finished the season with career highs in all offensive categories • her 14 assists and 26 points are both team records • her 12 goals ranks third behind Rebecca Leslie (14) and Teresa Vanišová (15) • career high 311 faceoff wins (57.1%)

Alexa Vasko recorded two of her season’s three points in her last three games and finished with a career high 25 shots on goal and 120 faceoff wins.

Sarah Wozniewicz finished her first season with seven goals and an Ottawa rookie record 13 points in 30 games. That point total surpasses the 12 amassed by Gabbie Hughes in 24 games during the inaugural season.

Fanuza Kadirova became the fifth player in team history to reach double-digits in goals (10). She finished second in goals among the 2025 Draft class and never went more than three games without a point, finishing with 12 in 28 games.

A couple of records set by Gwyneth Philips: • became the first goalie to post two shutouts with more than 40 saves • she faced a record 844 shots and made 786 saves across a league record 28 games

Ahead of the playoffs, let’s look back on the regular season for the Charge: • finished with 44 points for second straight year (won a team record 17 games) • finished with 24 points in 12 games at TD Place • scored three or more goals in 9 of 12 games at TD Place

“She’s such a beacon of strength for us and it’s really inspiring to see her and to know that she’s behind us. We’re really proud of how hard she’s working to get back and be with us. We’re holding down the fort while we can.” - Gwyneth Philips on Carla MacLeod

The Ottawa Charge not only shut out the Toronto Sceptres 3-0, but clinch their second consecutive trip to the playoffs in the process. Here are my three stars from the game. I’d love to hear your picks from the game! What was your favourite moment?

I had the opportunity to sit down with University of Minnesota forward Jamie Nelson to talk about how the move from Mankato to the Gophers helped set her up for a career year, and the PWHL Draft. My full conversation with Jamie is coming very soon on Rinkside Rundown.

Following the game, the Ottawa Charge have announced that their playoff games will be played at the Canadian Tire Centre.

Alexa Vasko scores into the empty net and Ottawa has a 3-0 lead late in the third period. "My sign is better than the Toronto offence" sign was seen in the crowd. Perfect timing.

8,306 in attendance for the final regular season game here at TD Place. Mark it down as yet another sellout for the Charge!

Great start to the third period, as Sarah Wozniewicz scores to give Ottawa a 2-0 lead. Great goal, and an absolutely next level play to keep that puck in the zone by "Big Game Brianne."

The Ottawa Charge lead the Toronto Sceptres 1-0 through two periods of play thanks to a second period goal from Fanuza Kadirova. Here are some second period shots courtesy of @kanoehead.bsky.social

Two up, two down, and the Charge remain with a slim 1-0 lead over Toronto heading into the third and final frame. As that period progressed, both teams had their chances, and Ottawa was able to gain momentum for stretches. Much closer to "Charge" hockey.

What a sequence and it's Fanuza Kadirova who opens the scoring and gives Ottawa the second period 1-0 lead. That was all about persistence and never giving up on the puck, as they kept hammering at it and tuck it behind Kirk. Michela Cava with the lone assist.

The Ottawa Charge and Toronto Sceptres remain scoreless after the first period. Here are some shots courtesy of @kanoehead.bsky.social

This sounded a bit overdramatic from Ottawa's perspective. The reality is this: Some good chances, but their passes weren't connecting, and that often resulted in some high danger chances from Toronto. Clean that up, and the second period could look very different.

First period is in the books and things remained tied here at TD Place between the Ottawa Charge and Toronto Sceptres. Overall, solid period from Toronto, while Ottawa had glimpses, including late. For the Charge, they just need to slow the game down and regain the pace.

For the final time this regular season, the Ottawa Charge take to the ice for pregame warmups. Their opponent: the Toronto Sceptres Their objective: one single point and they make the playoffs for the second consecutive year

Here is your projected lineup, and a quote from Jocelyne Larocque, ahead of the matchup between the Toronto Sceptres and Ottawa Charge. Only lineup change for the Charge is the addition of Brooke Hobson who returns from LTIR.

Well, looks like we have our answer, as the team has announced that Hobson has been activated from LTIR. Huge addition to the lineup. Vita Poniatovskaia has been returned to the team’s Reserve List, while defender Alexie Guay, signed as a Reserve, has been released.

We all know what’s on the line today, as the Toronto Sceptres come to town for a matchup against the Ottawa Charge in the regular season finale. Here are your game day notes and stats. Lineups and team quotes will come closer to puck drop, so stay tuned!

Over the team’s three-game winning streak, Gwyneth Philips has a .978 SV%, including a .960 SV% in their last outing against Boston. One of the many things I’ve noticed is how aggressive she’s become on challenging shooters, and is much stronger on her angles. Elite stuff right there.

Issy Wunder spent her childhood watching the NHL draft and wondering when that reality would be available for women. Now a top prospect for the 2026 PWHL Draft, she is preparing to become the role model she once had to imagine. Full story: www.rinksiderundown.ca/p/issy-wunde...

“These fans deserve playoffs, and we play hard for them, and they give us energy. We’re happy that our last regular season game is at home, and it’s just going to give us a little extra oomph. We appreciate them, we love them, and we know they love us.” - Jocelyne Larocque

“Whether your shift has gone well, or maybe you had to defend well, or maybe you want to leave that one behind. It’s just always about that next shift. You can’t look back, you can’t hold onto anything. It’s about always being on your toes, ready to go.” - Haley Irwin

“I think we all know what’s at stake for this game, and I think we’re really lucky that we get to do it at home, and fight for that spot at home. I think the crowd will rally around us, and I just can’t wait to feel the energy in this building tomorrow.” - Ottawa Charge defender Rory Guilday

In my conversation with Issy Wunder on this week’s episode of Rinkside Rundown, she talks about how her neuroscience studies have helped her to reframe stress and pressure. Episode 120 with Issy Wunder is available now: www.rinksiderundown.ca/p/issy-wunde...

Here’s the semifinal round’s opening game schedule:

It’s also expected that tomorrow will draw the single-day attendance record: • four teams in action • Montreal and Boston will be fighting it out for first • Toronto and Ottawa are both looking at that fourth spot • someone will get the first overall draft pick

Ahead of tomorrow’s regular season finale, here is some playoff info: • in Canada, semifinals will be on TSN/Prime in English, and RDS/Prime (TBD once matchups are confirmed) • in the US, coverage will be on Scripps Sports Network, the league’s website and YouTube

One more day. One more game. One more win. That’s all that stands between the Ottawa Charge and a second consecutive playoff berth. I spoke with defenders Rory Guilday and Jocelyne Larocque, along with interim head coach Haley Irwin, about the approach to their final game.

Defender Brooke Hobson was on the ice in a contact jersey for the first time since her injury. Not sure whether that means we see her in tomorrow’s game, but it remains a very positive sign in her recovery.

Last (full) regular season practice for the Ottawa Charge as they prepare for their matchup against Toronto tomorrow. One. More. Point. That’s all it will take for the Charge to secure the last playoff spot, but you already knew that. Here, they’re focused on the power play.

Yesterday I released Episode 120 of Rinkside Rundown, with one of the biggest guests I’ve had to date. The chance to speak with Issy and to have such an honest conversation, was something I’ll never forget. If you haven’t yet, check it out and subscribe: youtu.be/cg83XPpumts

Congratulations to Charlotte Sonntag, forward at Holy Cross, who was awarded the team’s Crusader Award. Charlotte will be appearing on an upcoming episode of the podcast, and I’ll have a feature on her dropping soon as she prepares for the 2026 PWHL Draft!

From a backyard rink in Toronto to the top of the Ivy League, Issy Wunder has always embraced the "privilege of pressure." Discover her journey through the GTA, her growth as a leader, and how she’s navigating her path to the pros: rinksiderundown.substack.com/p/issy-wunde...

Princeton captain Issy Wunder is a top Canadian prospect in the 2026 PWHL Draft for a reason. On Episode 120, we talk about her journey from a Toronto backyard rink to the Ivy League and how she’s preparing for a professional career. Available now: www.rinksiderundown.ca/p/issy-wunde...