Ottawa Charge ready for PWHL playoffs after strong five-game finish and outpouring of support

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe was joined by other city councillors and members of the Ottawa Charge to install “Charge Avenue” street signs in front of TD Place at Bank Street. Photo by Julie Oliver /PostmediaArticle content

Aside from one hiccup, the Ottawa Charge has done a good job of containing “The GOAT” this season.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office.Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Accountor

Article content

Marie-Philip Poulin did show off her immense talent when she converted three of her five shots for a hat-trick in the Montreal Victoire’s 4-1 victory over the Charge on Jan. 29 at Place Bell in Laval.

Article content

But Poulin, widely considered the best women’s hockey player on the planet, had just one goal and one assist in the other five games between the teams.

Article content

Keeping Poulin off the board, which the Charge did on three occasions, would certainly help Ottawa get off to a good start when the rivals square off in Game 1 of their best-of-five, opening round PWHL playoff series Thursday night at Place Bell.

Article content

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Article content

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

Article content

Poulin notched a pair of goals, the first at the 11-second mark of the opening period, when the Victorie clinched top spot with a 3-2 victory over the New York Sirens last Saturday.

Article content

That gave her a league-leading 19 on the season and 29 over her 51-game PWHL career.

Article content

Montreal Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin had a league-leading 19 goals this season. Photo by Minas Panagiotakis /Getty ImagesArticle content

Poulin scored just once on 18 shots when Montreal was swept by Boston in last season’s playoffs.

Article content

Along with being key members of Canada’s national team, Poulin, her spouse Laura Stacey, and Jennifer Gardiner combined for 35 of Montreal’s 77 goals while forming one of, if not the best lines in the PWHL.

Article content

Tasked with keeping that unit in check as much as possible over the next five games will be Ottawa’s shutdown line, which consists of Team Canada veteran Emily Clark and Americans Gabbie Hughes and Mannon McMahon.

Article content

Having the last line change in the final two meetings of the season at TD Place, Ottawa held Montreal to just three goals, with only one (by Stacey) coming from the big line.

Article content

“Obviously, we’ve played with and against a lot of these girls, some of us for a decade now, so obviously there’s a lot of familiarity,” said Clark, who scored two goals in Ottawa’s 3-1 victory at TD Place over Montreal in February, when asked if there’s a “book” on how to play against the Victoire’s top performers. “But yeah, we have coaches and people that specialize in those areas for a reason. We have Pierre (Groulx), our goalie coach, who will prep us with what we need to know. Same with our ‘D’ coach and special teams coach. We’ll be prepared for them.

Article content

“We played them six times (in the season) and we get to play them. It’s pretty cool. I’ve never played in a series before. So to be able to play a game and be able to go back to the drawing board and readjust, that’s really fun. So I’m excited for that.”