Charge blank Sceptres 2-0, move past Toronto into final PWHL playoff spot

Toronto Sceptres forward Jesse Compher (18) attempts to get a shot past Ottawa Charge defender Ronja Savolainen (88) during second period PWHL hockey action in Toronto on Saturday, April 11, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey

Gwyneth Philips stopped 42 shots and Brianne Jenner scored the game-winner midway through the third period to give the Ottawa Charge a much-needed 2-0 win against the Toronto Sceptres on Saturday.

The three-point win halted Ottawa’s three-game losing streak and allowed the Charge to leapfrog the Sceptres into the fourth and final playoff spot in the Professional Women’s Hockey League standings.

The Charge have 36 points with three games remaining. Toronto has 34 points with four outings left.

Jenner scored with 8:40 remaining when a loose puck was pushed to her by linemate Rebecca Leslie. From in close, the unchecked Jenner slid the puck underneath Sceptres’ netminder Raygan Kirk.

Philips, the United States Olympian, earned her second shutout of the season. Her best save was with her left shoulder on Toronto’s Daryl Watts breakaway 5:26 into the second period.

Toronto outshot the visitors 42-18 before a club-record crowd of 8,716 at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Sarah Wozniewicz scored into the empty net with 23 seconds remaining.

This game pitted the lowest-scoring team in the PWHL in Toronto (47 in 26 games) against Ottawa’s league-worst goals allowed (71 in 27 outings).

Takeaways

Sceptres: Three days after Ottawa forward Emily Clark became the first PWHL player to skate in 80 games, Toronto’s Jessie Compher, Maggie Connors, Kali Flanagan, Emma Maltais and captain Blayre Turnbull suited up for the 80th time.

Charge: Former Canadian national team standout Haley Irwin, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and 2012 World champion, won for the first time as interim coach in her third game, filling in for Carla MacLeod, who continues breast cancer treatment.

Key moment

Toronto defender Emma Shelton had an open net on the power play early in the second period, but whiffed and hit the side of the goal to keep the game goalless.

Key stat

Phillips of Athens, Ohio, added to her PWHL record for saves in a season, increasing her stops to 698 with three outings remaining.

Up next

Sceptres: Visit the New York Sirens on Wednesday.

Charge: Host the Sirens next Saturday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Apr. 11, 2026.

Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press