Ottawa Charge’s 2024–25 Recap: A Team That Left It All on the Ice

For the Ottawa Charge, the 2025 PWHL season was a campaign defined by growth, grit, and the smallest of margins.

After finishing third in the regular season standings with 44 points, Ottawa entered the playoffs as underdogs against the top-seeded Montréal Victoire. But what followed was a stunning semifinal series that showcased the Charge's resilience and depth. Gwyneth Philips, Ottawa's rookie netminder, stole the spotlight with a shutout in Game 3 and a series-clinching win in Game 4. Offensively, players like Gabbie Hughes and rookie Mannon McMahon stepped up, while veterans like Brianne Jenner and Emily Clark led by example. The Charge eliminated the favourites and punched their ticket to their first-ever Walter Cup Final.

In the championship series, Ottawa opened strong with an overtime win in Game 1 against the defending champions from Minnesota. It would be the Charge's only victory of the Finals, as each of the next three games ended in identical fashion: a 2–1 overtime loss. Still, Ottawa proved they could hang with the league’s best, forcing the Frost to the limit in every game. Rookie goalie Gwyneth Philips was named Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP, becoming the first player to earn the award without winning the title.

Over eight playoff games, Ottawa never lost by more than a goal. They fought tooth-and-nail until the final buzzer, a defining trait of their season.

Record

12-4-4-10, 44 points (third place).

Despite identical point totals with Boston and Minnesota, Ottawa secured the No. 3 seed via tiebreaker and entered the playoffs with momentum. Despite scoring fewer goals than they allowed, their 3–1–1 run in the final stretch of the season was enough to lock in a playoff berth and a semifinal showdown with rival Montréal.

MVP - Gwyneth Philips

No question, no debate. Philips took over Ottawa’s crease midway through the season and never looked back. The rookie was 4th in the league in save percentage (.919) and finished third in GAA (2.11) during the regular season. Her playoff numbers, .952 SV% and 1.23 GAA, were even better, earning her the Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP despite Ottawa falling short in the Finals.

Philips’ ability to remain calm under pressure gave Ottawa a chance in every game, especially as their overtime luck vanished late in the postseason. The Charge knew they had something special in the Northeastern alum. Now, the rest of the league knows it too.

Top Rookie - Gwyneth Philips (again), but shoutout to Mannon McMahon

While Philips dominated the league from the crease, McMahon brought speed and tenacity up front. She found her footing in the back half of the season, added timely scoring depth, and was a surprise standout in the playoffs, earning top-six minutes by the Final. The rookie's responsible play, and fearless forechecking made her an invaluable contributor down the stretch.

Biggest Strength - Team defense and goaltending

Ottawa’s blueline featured one of the deepest units in the league. Jocelyne Larocque anchored the group with her usual poise, but younger defenders like Ashton Bell, Ronja Savolainen, and Stephanie Markowski took big steps forward. Together, they limited high-danger chances and logged massive minutes in the playoffs, including multiple 40+ minute outings in the quadruple-overtime classic of Game 2 against Montréal.

Their defensive commitment allowed Ottawa to play low-event hockey that suited their grind-it-out identity. When things did break down, Philips or Maschmeyer were there.

Biggest Weakness - Finishing chances

Ottawa’s scoring was timely but rarely overwhelming. They finished the regular season averaging 2.33 goals per game, fifth in the league. Their power play ran cold for long stretches, and in the Walter Cup Final, they dropped three straight 2–1 overtime losses, each a game they could’ve won with a little more finish.

Players like Gabbie Hughes, Emily Clark, and Brianne Jenner had moments of brilliance, but the Charge often needed more from their forward depth in key situations.

Fan Impact

The best sixth player in the league? The Ottawa faithful showed up loud and proud all season. TD Place was rocking, with sellouts becoming the norm, and fans sticking around win or lose. The Red Scarf Union, the Charge’s supporters’ group helped give the Charge one of the most electric home-ice advantages in the league.

The love between team and city is real. Players often credited the fans for pushing them through the up and down season.

Final Thoughts

Ottawa didn’t win the Walter Cup, but they did something just as meaningful: they built a winning identity. From a third-place finish to knocking off the No. 1 seed in Montréal, to playing Minnesota closer than anyone else, the Charge proved they belong at the top of the league.

“This was a special group,” said captain Brianne Jenner after the Game 4 loss. “We went through a lot this season and showed a lot of resiliency. These last couple weeks did something really special. It’s going to sting for a while, but I’m really proud of this group.”

With expansion looming and a young core taking shape, the future in Ottawa is bright. They’re not chasing a dream anymore, they’re chasing unfinished business.