Charge, Sceptres put aside rivalry to support girl who survived leukemia

Ottawa Charge forward Brianne Jenner (19) celebrates her goal on Toronto Sceptres goaltender Raygan Kirk (1) with her teammates during third period PWHL hockey action in Toronto on Saturday, April 11, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey

TORONTO — The Ottawa Charge survived an emotional afternoon on many fronts against the provincial rival Toronto Sceptres on Saturday.

The 2-0 win by the visitors was a physical 60 minutes, highlighted by former long-time defence partners Jocelyne Larocque of Ottawa and Toronto’s Renata Fast vehemently battling each other.

“We’re all professionals, and we have a job to do, and we’re in the business of trying to win hockey games,” said Ottawa’s Brianne Jenner, who scored the game-winner with 8:40 remaining. “So, Jocelyne’s doing everything she can for this team, and I’m sure Fast is doing everything she can for their team. So (friendships) kind of go out the window.”

The Charge also stopped a three-game losing streak to leapfrog the Sceptres into the fourth and final playoff spot in the Professional Women’s Hockey League standings. The three-point victory increased Ottawa’s total to 36 points with three games remaining, two ahead of Toronto, which has four outings left.

But the most emotional moment of the game arrived with 8:58 remaining in the second period. During a television timeout, the scoreboard above centre ice showed a young girl holding up a sign with the help of her family, saying that she was celebrating a victory over leukemia.

The Sceptres’ record gathering of 8,716 at Coca-Cola Coliseum cheered and rose to give the girl a standing ovation. On the ice, the Sceptres and Charge clued in to what was happening. Before the ensuing face-off in the Toronto end, the players stopped to give the girl stick taps all around.

Considering what the Charge has endured this season with its head coach, Carla MacLeod, undergoing treatment for breast cancer, the moment was special.

“That little girl deserved that, right?” said Ottawa interim coach Hayley Irwin, who picked up her first win in her third game filling in for MacLeod. “We learned pretty quickly that life’s bigger than the game of hockey, and the sport gives us moments to celebrate those things.

“It was really nice to see her get that moment up on the (scoreboard) for everyone to acknowledge and applaud what she’s been through.”

Jenner added: “What’s magical about sport is it brings us together, and it’s a moment where we get to stop and appreciate what’s probably been a difficult journey for that young lady. To show our support.

“Obviously, it’s extra emotional for us right now, but that’s the amazing thing about this community and the fan base that we have in the PWHL. As bitter as the rivalries are, there’s just so much love and support for the entire PWHL community.”

Even though Ottawa goalie Gwyneth Phillips was busy earning her second shutout with 42 stops to increase her season record for saves to 698, the moment was not lost on her.

“The game’s bigger than ourselves sometimes, and that was a shared moment for everyone in the whole PHWL community to celebrate that warrior,” the United States Olympian said. “So it’s really impressive and great. I was happy to celebrate her. It was pretty cool.”

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

Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press