Philips stops 41 shots as Charge defeat Toronto Sceptres 3-0 to clinch playoff spot

Ottawa Charge's goaltender Gwyneth Philips (33) blocks a shot on net during second period PWHL hockey action against the Toronto Sceptres’ in Ottawa, on Saturday, April 25, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

OTTAWA — Ottawa is returning to the Professional Women’s Hockey League playoffs.

Gwyneth Philips stopped 41 shots as the Charge defeated the Toronto Sceptres 3-0 on Saturday to clinch the fourth and final playoff spot. The Charge will face either the Boston Fleet or Montreal Victoire in a best-of-five semifinal series.

What Ottawa knows for sure, though, is it will start the playoffs on the road. Minutes after beating Toronto, the Charge announced all their playoff games will be played at Canadian Tire Centre.

“It’s exciting,” said Philips. “That’s news to me a little bit.

“You know, we love the fans that we’ve drawn to TD Place, especially the last few games, but looking forward to really packing CTC for the playoffs. You know, bigger venue, louder crowd, so let’s pack it when we can.”

Carrying momentum over from the regular season into the playoffs can be difficult. But interim head coach Haley Irwin says there are definitely things her team will want to take into the post-season.

The Charge head into the post-season playing some of their best hockey. With a playoff spot on the line, Ottawa won four straight games and outscored opponents 12-2.

“It feels like it’s a whole new season, right?” said Irwin. “But there’s things that you can take, that we will take from the last five games and the last couple of games that we have done really well, that, you know, we want to make sure that that’s how we play in the playoffs.”

Philips has been instrumental to Ottawa’s success and will look to build on last year’s playoff performance that earned her the PWHL Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP award. Philips had a 1.23 goals-against-average and .952 save percentage.

Philips leads the league in games played (28), is fourth with a .931 save percentage and sports a tidy 2.12 goals-against average.

“So, you know learning about myself a little bit about what it takes,” admitted Philips. “But, you know, you just kind of got to have a mind of a goldfish sometimes and keep moving.

“So, you know, it was a bit of a learning curve, but now I’m back to kind of the position I’ve been in before, so no excuses for me from here on out.”

Last year the Charge upset the Victoire in their best-of-five semifinal series, winning 3-1. Ottawa lost the Walter Cup Final to the Minnesota Frost 3-1 but the experience was invaluable.

“I think we learned a ton last year,” said captain Brianne Jenner. “Playoffs is hard.

“It’s another level from this and every puck battle, every moment matters. So, we’re looking forward to taking that experience and making the most of it.”

Head coach Carla MacLeod stepped away from the team earlier this month to undergo further treatment for breast cancer. MacLeod was in the building Saturday and joined the team on the bench at the end of the game.

It’s unclear whether she will be able to rejoin the team for the playoffs.

“I didn’t realize she was here, actually,” Philips said. “But, you know, we’re navigating some new waters, but she’s such a beacon for us.

“You know, strength and she comes when she can and it’s really inspiring to see her and to know that she’s behind us. Regardless if she’s here we’re really proud of how hard she’s working to come back and be with us.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 25, 2026.

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press