Ottawa Charge preparing to play in first Walter Cup finals in franchise history

Ottawa Charge players celebrate their win over the Montreal Victoire following third period PWHL playoff hockey action in Ottawa, on Friday, May 16, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

History was made inside a sold-out TD Place Arena Friday night as the Ottawa Charge advanced to the Walter Cup finals for the first time in franchise history.

The Charge took the best-of-five semifinal series over the first-seed Montreal Victoire 3-1, thanks to a 2-1 game four win on home ice.

Charge captain Brianne Jenner says the atmosphere inside TD Place was one she’ll remember forever.

“The support we have here is just phenomenal and we’ve always said that we wanted to give them a run like this. Thank them for always having our backs,” Jenner said at a news conference Saturday.

“The energy in the rink the other day was just unbelievable, certainly a hockey memory that I’ll remember forever.”

The Charge are the first Canadian team to play in the Walter Cup finals.

They’ll face off against the defending champion Minnesota Frost after they knocked off the Toronto Scepters in four games on Wednesday.

“They’ve got a lot of experience, winning experience in their dressing room, a lot of great players on their team and a great staff. We know that we’re going to have to bring our best,” Jenner said.

Frost captain Kendall Coyne Schofield says no team should be taken lightly, especially when considering the team entered the playoffs as the fourth seed. She says she expects a hungry Charge team.

“Just like the last series, just like their previous series and just like every game in this league leading up to this point, every game is a tough game,” Coyne Schofield said. “The parity is so tight, and it’ll be no different come the final.”

Goaltending played a massive factor in the Charge’s success as Gwyneth Philips leads the playoffs in wins (4), goals against average (1.14) and save percentage (.956).

Head coach Carla Macleod says Philips is a large reason for the team’s success.

“Her tracking and her fight on every puck, every rebound, she just doesn’t really give up on a play until there’s a whistle,” Macleod said. “When she’s at her best, she’s rising in those moments.”

Coyne Schofield says she knows all about Philips, having played with her most recently representing the USA at the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championships.

“She’s one of the best goalies in the world, and she has shown it, she continues to show it,” Coyne Schofield said. “Just consistently knowing, she’s going to show up every night.”

Tickets for the Walter Cup finals went on sale at 12 p.m. Saturday.

Walter Cup Finals Schedule:

Game 1: May 20 MIN @ OTT 7 p.m. EDT

Game 2: May 22 MIN @ OTT 7 p.m. EDT

Game 3: May 24 OTT @ MIN 4 p.m. CDT

Game 4: May 26 OTT @ MIN 4 p.m. CDT

Game 5: May 28 MIN @ OTT 7 p.m. EDT