Hometown hero Rebecca Leslie helping power Ottawa Charge in PWHL playoffs

The Ottawa Charge are on the verge of clinching a spot in the Walter Cup Final as they face off against Montreal in Game 4 on home ice. CTV’s Tyler Fleming repo

For Rebecca Leslie, Tuesday night was more than just a playoff win, it was a dream unfolding on home ice.

The Ottawa native and Charge forward helped her team take a 2-1 series lead over the Montreal Victoire in the PWHL semifinals, with a 1-0 shutout win that electrified a near a crowd of nearly 8,500 at TD Place.

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On Friday night, Leslie and the Charge advanced to the PWHL final with a 2-1 win over Montreal. Leslie scored a goal in the first period to help Ottawa win the series in four games.

Leslie, 29, a forward, signed with Ottawa for the 2024-25 season on a one-year contract after being drafted by Toronto in the league’s inaugural season. Now playing professionally in her hometown, she’s thriving in front of familiar faces.

“I feel like I haven’t heard the rink this loud,” says Leslie. “I do take a chance to look in the crowd at times and I see old neighbours, teachers, friends and I think that’s what’s really special is the amount of support that I personally received from the city and people, some I don’t even expect to be watching or watching and following along.”

That connection to the city runs deep. Leslie grew up as an Ottawa 67’s season ticket holder, attending games every weekend with her father and brother at the same arena she now calls home.

“I’ve watched many, many important games here throughout my childhood,” says Leslie. ”And so, to finally have a chance to play here professionally in my hometown it’s really special.”

While the Charge now leads the best of five series, Leslie is quick to emphasize the importance of staying grounded.

“There’s no momentum from game to game, so we have to treat each game like its own,” she says. “We’re just focused on the task at hand today and hope to come out with a strong, strong game.”

Rookie netminder Gwyneth Philips recorded a 34-save shutout in Game 3 and has stopped 110 of 115 shots in the first three games of the series, good for a .956 save percentage.

Fans have rallied behind the Charge all season, but the stakes, and the volume, were higher Tuesday. Following the win, chants of “You picked us!” rang through TD Place, a message to Montreal for selecting Ottawa as its first-round opponent.

“To see the number of fans that have supported us throughout the season, that came out for the playoffs it was truly special.” Leslie says. “We take so much pride in representing Ottawa.”

The Charge advance to the Walter Cup final, where they will meet the Minnesota Frost. Game 1 of the PWHL final is Tuesday night at TD Place.

For Leslie, it’s a chance to chase history — right at home.