By: Alexis Caines | Follow me on Twitter/X @alexiscaines_
In just a few days, the puck will drop on the 2026 Professional Women’s Hockey League postseason. It’s been a memorable year for the PWHL, reaching new heights across the league and individually amongst teams and players. Four teams will face off with the hopes of capping off their season by hoisting the Walter Cup.
The Montréal Victoire had the best regular season, making them the top seed. They had the power to select their semifinal opponent between the Minnesota Frost and the Ottawa Charge. The Victoire selected back-to-back Walter Cup champions, the Frost. This left the Boston Fleet, seeded at number two, playing the Charge.
The best-of-five series is slated to start at the Tsongas Center on Thursday night at 7 pm. Ahead of puck drop, each of the playoff head coaches and captains met with the media.
Buying In
“It’s been a very exciting year so far for our group…for us to be able to hit the ground running early in the season, [it] really expedited the process of buy-in throughout our lineup and throughout our team.” – Boston Fleet Head Coach Kris Sparre.
Before the season began, there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Fleet. They lost notable names up and down the organization via expansion, free agency, and other opportunities. New bench boss Kris Sparre and newly appointed Captain Megan Keller had pressure on them to meet the challenge; they went above and beyond.
The buy-in from every single member of the organization has been clear. From the very first game of the season, everyone showed up as a collective to ensure success for the team. Their 16-5-4-5 season totaled 62 points, breaking their previous franchise record by 18. It also tied the Victoire for most points in a regular season.
Brick Wall Battle
“[Aerin and Gwyneth are] two of the best goalies in the world, in my opinion…going to OT it’s a big testament on how good the goalies are. So [we’re] going to have to find ways to get pucks in the back of the net.” – Boston Fleet Captain Megan Keller.
Team USA and Northeastern University teammates, Gwyneth Philips and Aerin Frankel, are no strangers. And Keller is right, they are two of the best goalies, certainly in the PWHL.
This season, Philips led goaltenders in minutes, recording 1643:15 in 28 games. Next is Frankel with 1583:12 in 26 games. Though Frankel’s stats are better, it’s hard to use them as grounds in the series.
Last season, Ottawa made it all the way to the Walter Cup Finals. In eight games, Philips posted a .952 SV% and 1.23 GAA. Her performance made her the Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP. She’s proven time and time again that she can show up in big moments, but so has Frankel. This will be the most anticipated goaltending matchup of the playoffs so far.
Playoffs: A Whole New Season
“We’ve had some really hard-fought battles against Boston this season and I think it’s probably going to be at another level in playoffs…[It’s] a grind, it’s an elevated pace of play, elevated physicality, so I think we’re just going to have to attack it together.” – Ottawa Charge Captain Brianne Jenner
Each of Boston and Ottawa’s four regular-season meetings has needed overtime or a shootout to determine the winner. Both teams are hungry for success and a berth into the Walter Cup Final. Every hit, every save, every shot just means more.
The Charge and the Fleet will each be looking to come out strong and keep that same pace the entire series. These games are going to be gritty, especially with Frankel and Philips between the pipes.
Ottawa Shows Resiliency
“We knew [the season] was going to be hard fought…but our group is one that just continues to show resiliency and [they are] really invested in getting better every day. So certainly for me, the last five, not being on the bench was a challenge but in the same breath, our group made it quite easy for me in that they just competing and that’s all you can ask for as a coach.” – Ottawa Charge Head Coach Carla MacLeod.
In November 2025, Carla MacLeod shared that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She continued coaching the team through her treatment plan, but on April 6th, the team announced she’d been stepping away for an undetermined period of time. When Ottawa clinched playoffs on Saturday, MacLeod surprised her team after the final horn. Later, it was announced she’d be returning to the team for playoffs.
Her bravery has instilled resiliency deep in the Charge, and it shows in the way they play hockey. This motivation should not be underestimated. The Charge have continued to play hard-fought hockey throughout the season, and that will continue in the postseason, with winning as the ultimate goal.
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