The Boston Fleet edged out the Ottawa Charge in a 3-2 shootout victory, cutting through a tight PWHL playoff race to seize sole possession of the league lead.
An electrifying clash in Ottawa culminated in a 3-2 shootout victory for the Boston Fleet over the Ottawa Charge, breaking a tie atop the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and giving the Fleet sole command of the league’s top spot with just weeks remaining in the regular season.
The game hinged on key moments: Alina Muller tied the match on a power play with 6:34 left in regulation, deflecting a puck off Kathryn Reilly’s skate to knot the score at 2-2. Hannah Brandt then sealed the win in the shootout, while goaltender Aerin Frankel stonewalled the Charge to secure the victory for Boston.
A έτσι; full breakdown made this win possible:
- Heroics from the Stars: Muller and Brandt were the offensive catalysts, each scoring in regulation and the shootout. Muller’s deflection goal was a display of her elite positioning and countless hours spent refining her net-front game.
- Frankel’s Impact: Aerin Frankel stopped 23 shots and made key saves in the shootout, reaffirming her status as one of the PWHL’s most reliable goalies. Her poise under pressure held Ottawa at bay in the closing minutes and overtime.
- Ottawa’s Resilience: Despite the loss, the Charge fought hard, with Rebecca Leslie powering the team with two goals. Leslie now shares the league lead with 10 goals, proving herself a dynamic scorer as the season progresses.
Through 13 games, Boston now boasts an 8-3-2-2 record, one win better than any other team in the PWHL. The Toronto Six and Montreal Force have yet to make a move, keeping the league race wide open for contenders who can string together a winning streak.
Rise of the New PWHL: The Fleet’s Balanced Kingdom
Boston Fleet entered the PWHL with high expectations built on a foundation of experienced leaders and young stars. Their lineup reads like a blueprint for future success: established names like Jill Saulnier, Liz Schepers, and stalwart defender Jocelyne Larocque, paired with rising talents like Alina Muller and Abby Newhook.
Schepers’ relentless forechecking and Muller’s offensive creativity have formed a nucleus that consistently controls play at even strength. In a league where Special Teams often decide games, the Fleet has cultivated one of the PWHL’s most feared power-play units, as Muller’s late equalizer exemplifies. Her tenacity around the net and ability to capitalize on chaos have become hallmarks of the Fleet’s identity.
The Ottawa Charge: A feisty contender
Despite falling just short in regulation, the Ottawa Charge made clear they belong in the playoff conversation. Led by Hobey Baker Award winner Izzy Hanson and backed by emerging scorer Rebecca Leslie, Ottawa has developed into a well-rounded team capable of challenging the league’s best. Leslie’s 10 goals place her among the elite in the PWHL, and at only 23 years old, she’s a future cornerstone of the franchise.
Goalkeeper Gwyneth Philips made 21 saves on the night, including key stops against the Fleet’s push in the third period, proving why she’s among the top young netminders in women’s hockey. The Charge, now sitting at 4-5-1-7, remain very much alive in the playoff hunt, especially if Leslie continues to dominate and Philips shuts down opponents in close games.
PWHL Standings Shake-Up
As of February 28, 2026, the Fleet’s surge to 17 points (8-3-2-2) means they’ve leapfrogged every other team in the league. With fewer than 10 games left for most teams, the short sprint to the playoffs is underway, and every point—especially in overtime or shootout scenarios—matters significantly. Boston’s ability to salvage games in high-pressure situations, like tonight, gives them a critical edge heading into the final stretch.
Lingering questions now dominate the PWHL narrative:
Will Boston complete its late-season charge to the league title?
Can Ottawa harness its raw talent into a consistent winner?
Does Leslie have enough gas left to claim the league’s inaugural scoring crown?
And which team among the pack will rise to challenge Boston’s sacked throne at the top?
Up Next: Key Matchups
Fleet: Travels to face New York on Thursday night in what could be another test for the league leaders against one of the PWHL’s most aggressive forechecking teams.
Charge: Hosts Seattle on Wednesday night in a pivotal Western Conference showdown. With Leslie surging and Philips anchoring the backend, Ottawa has the ammunition to complete a full turnaround and vault back into the playoff picture in one fell swoop.
This win wasn’t just another point—it was a statement. The Boston Fleet have made clear that the PWHL runs through Beantown. As the league’s first season nears its climax, expect every night to be a proving ground for teams with conference titles and playoff aspirations alike. One thing is certain: No team can afford to sleep on them.
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