Ottawa’s PWHL playoff fate hinges on final game against Toronto Sceptres

Ottawa needs at least a point — via a win or overtime loss — to control its playoff fate. A regulation win by Toronto would draw the teams even in points with the Sceptres holding the tiebreaker with more regulation wins.

The Charge feel they’ve been playing playoff hockey the last few weeks, and so their approach Saturday won’t change.

“It’s not new to us that tomorrow’s a big game,” said interim head coach Haley Irwin. “The last couple of games have been just that. We don’t need to change anything, that’s for sure. We just need to be the best version of ourselves, and it will be a great one.”

Ottawa is 1-1-0-2 against the Sceptres this season, including a 2-0 shutout win two weeks ago.

The Charge are no strangers to must-win games.

“It’s a balance between there’s a lot on the line, but that it’s still just another hockey game,” said veteran defenceman Jocelyne Larocque. “To think about the result is pretty overwhelming, so as a team, we have to think shift by shift. Being dominant and playing our way, being fast and physical, moving the puck well every single shift, whether you have a good shift or a bad shift, next shift, same mentality.”

Larocque knows there’s a lot at stake, but she emphasized the importance of having fun and enjoying the moment.

“There’s nowhere else I would rather be,” she said. “There is nowhere else we would want to be together.”

During their inaugural season, Ottawa’s playoff hopes were dashed with a 5-2 loss to the Sceptres in the final game of the season.

Last season, they flipped the script and beat the Sceptres 2-1 in overtime to clinch the final playoff spot and earn their first post-season berth.

The Charge went on to upset the heavily favoured Montreal Victoire and advanced to the Walter Cup, where they fell three games to one to the Minnesota Frost.

For now, nothing beyond Saturday matters.

“We all know what’s at stake for this game,” said defender Rory Guilday. “I think we’re really lucky we get to do this at home and fight for that spot at home. I think the crowd will rally around us, and I just can’t wait to feel the energy in this building.”

While one point is all that’s needed, Irwin says the Charge are looking for the win.

“We’re not talking about trying not to lose,” said Irwin. “We’re talking about winning a hockey game. That puts us on our toes, that puts us playing our best hockey. That’s our mindset. Nothing less than that.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 24, 2026

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Ottawa’s PWHL playoff fate hinges on final game against Toronto Sceptres

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