Charge, Frost Book Their Tickets to the Playoffs

The PWHL is a very close league, but it doesn't get much closer than the last three games of the season, back-to-back on the same day, to determine who's in and who's out.

In the end, it's the Ottawa Charge and Minnesota Frost who play their way into a playoff spot, while the Boston Fleet will miss the postseason after losing in the finals last season.

Coming into Saturday's games, the Montréal Victoire and the Toronto Sceptres had already clinched a playoff spot. All that was left for them to determine was who would finish first overall, earning the chance to pick their opponent for round one.

Meanwhile, Ottawa, Boston, and Minnesota all entered Saturday's games with a chance to capture the final two spots.

Here's how it went down.

Ottawa Charge vs Toronto Sceptres

What's at stake: First place overall for the Sceptres, clinching a playoff spot for the Charge.

How Toronto could do it: The Sceptres needed to win in regulation, AND the Victoire needed to lose in regulation to the Sirens.

How Ottawa could do it: Ottawa had the most options to get into the playoffs, but the easiest way was with a win over the Sceptres.

The outcome: The Charge definitely kept fans on their toes in this game. They went down early to Toronto when Nurse netted a beautiful goal to put the Sceptres up 1-0.

But Charge captain Brianne Jenner scored the equalizer just over a minute later. The Charge were 12-1 coming into this game when Jenner scored, so a goal from their captain was certainly a good sign.

Neither team could get the advantage before the game ended, sending the game to overtime.

Playoff impact: By not winning in regulation, the Sceptres finished second overall and will face whoever the Victoire does not choose in the first round.

Scoreboard watching between periods showed the Frost with a 4-0 lead over the Fleet, meaning Ottawa needed to get it done in overtime, or risk missing the playoffs.

And get it done they did.

Kateřina Mrázová potted the overtime winner halfway through overtime, sending the Ottawa Charge to their first playoffs. Mrázová, who missed much of the season with injury, came up huge for her teammates in the few games that she was able to play.

Playoff impact: The Ottawa Charge clinch a playoff spot, leaving the remaining spot to either the Fleet or the Frost.

Minnesota Frost vs Boston Fleet

What's at stake: The Frost and the Fleet could clinch playoff spots.

How Minnesota could do it: Minnesota needs a regulation win over Boston OR a win in overtime and a Charge loss in regulation.

How Boston could do it: Earn a single point against Minnesota OR Charge loss to the Sceptres.

The outcome: The Frost were not leaving anything up to the other teams. Curl-Salemme notched the first goal of the game just two minutes into the first period, and Stecklein followed that one up less than a minute later.

Before the end of the first period, Coyne Schofield snuck another one past Frankel, solidifying a 3-0 lead for the visitors.

Peslarová came in for the second period for the Fleet, holding off the Frost until about six minutes into the period when Jacques boosted the lead to 4-0. Curl-Salemme followed up for her second goal of the game mid-way through the period, sending the Frost to intermission with a 5-0 lead.

In a last-ditch effort, the Fleet pulled Peslarová with 16 minutes left in the period to play with six attackers. McQuigge added an empty net goal, all but solidifying the Frost's playoff chances.

Boston did manage to add one, but their season ended with an 8-1 loss to Minnesota.

Playoff Impact: Minnesota clinches the final playoff spot.

Montréal Victoire vs New York Sirens

What's at stake: Montréal can clinch first place overall and choose their opponent for round one. New York cannot make the playoffs, but they can continue to win games towards getting the first overall pick.

How Montréal could do it: The Victoire need one point against the Sirens or a Sceptres loss.

The outcome: With the Sceptres losing right near the beginning of this one, the Victoire clinched first place mid-way through the first period of this game.

The Victoire jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, adding a third in the second period.

The Sirens had a strong third period, clawing their way back into the game with two goals but they couldn't get it done, losing 3-2 at home.

The Victoire will announce their first-round opponent live on the Jocks in Jills podcast and the PWHL Youtube Channel on Sunday, March 4, at 6:00 PM EST. The first playoff game will be on Wednesday, May 7, in Toronto.