The Ottawa Charge carried their late-2025 momentum into the new year, securing a decisive 5-2 victory over the defending champion Minnesota Frost on Saturday. The win in front of a sold-out crowd of 8,235 fans at TD Place marks the team's fourth consecutive triumph.
Key Players Step Up for the Charge
Veteran forwards Emily Clark and Katerina Mrazova broke through with their first goals of the PWHL season, providing crucial secondary scoring. Captain Brianne Jenner led the charge with a two-goal performance, including an empty-netter to seal the game, while rookie Sarah Wozniewicz also found the back of the net.
In goal, Gwyneth Philips turned aside 24 shots to backstop the victory. For the Frost, Kelly Panek and Britta Curl-Salemme scored, and goaltender Maddie Rooney made 17 saves in the losing effort.
A Streak Built in Different Ways
This victory stands out in Ottawa's current four-game surge as the first win in the streak that did not require extra time. The Charge's previous two wins over Minnesota and the Toronto Sceptres needed overtime, and their final game of 2025 against the Boston Fleet was decided in a shootout.
The result propelled Ottawa in the standings, giving them 12 points and lifting them from a last-place tie with the expansion Vancouver Goldeneyes into fifth place. They now sit just two points behind the Montreal Victoire for the final playoff spot.
Game Highlights and What's Next
Jenner opened the scoring early in the first period, capitalizing on a fortuitous deflection. After Panek tied the game early in the second, Clark and Wozniewicz scored skillful goals just over three minutes apart to reclaim the lead. Mrazova then capitalized on Ottawa's league-leading power play to make it 4-1 before Curl-Salemme brought Minnesota back within two.
The Frost pressed in the third period, outshooting Ottawa 9-8, but Jenner's empty-net goal with 2:44 remaining clinched the 5-2 final.
The Charge now look ahead to their next matchup, a Friday night game against the Vancouver Goldeneyes at TD Place. Ottawa won the first meeting between the teams on home ice by a score of 5-1 back on November 26.
