Poor ice conditions at TD Place delays Ottawa Charge game for one hour

Linesmen TJ Dockery inspects a section of poor ice, as ice maintenance crew members at TD Place work to resurface the ice following a delay in game ahead of PWHL hockey action between the Ottawa Charge and Seattle Torrent in Ottawa, on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Ottawa Charge fans had to sit through an hour-long ice delay before the Charge beat the Seattle Torrent at the Arena at TD Place.

The game was delayed while crews dealt with an issue with the ice at the east end of the arena behind the visitors goal. The Canadian Press reported the ice issues were discovered following a lengthy pre-game ceremony that included carpet and chairs near the net.

“Puck drop is slightly delayed due to repairs needed to the ice,” the Ottawa Charge said on X.

A photo by The Canadian Press showed an ice maintenance crew member using a fire extinguisher to re-surface a section of the ice before a Zamboni flooded the area.

The players spent about 30 minutes on the ice while the repairs were completed, before returning to their dressing rooms. Cameras showed Ottawa Charge players Payton Hemp and Sarah Wozniewicz playing a game of Hangman on the bench with members of the Charge staff.

The game eventually began at 8:02 p.m.

Fanuza Kadirova scored the game winner with less than two minutes left in the third period, as the Charge beat the Torrent 4-3.

A total of 6,997 fans attended the game at TD Place.

Work is underway to build a new Event Centre at Lansdowne to replace the aging Arena at TD Place. The new arena, with a capacity for 6,600 people, is expected to open in 2028.

With files from The Canadian Press

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