Gwyneth Philips Has Another Brilliant Playoff Performance As The Charge Take Series Lead Against The Fleet
The Ottawa Charge returned home for the first time in their semifinal matchup against the Boston Fleet and won in front of a playoff record crowd at the Canadian Tire Centre. The win, as important as it was, remains thanks to another standout performance from Gwyneth Philips.
In their first playoff game at the Canadian Tire Centre, the Ottawa Charge have taken a 2-1 series lead over the Boston Fleet following a 2-1 win on goals from Fanuza Kadirova and Ronja Savolainen. And while a win is a win, there remains much to improve upon if they want to advance to their second consecutive Walter Cup Final. Through the first three games of this series, opportunities and struggles have been very present for the Ottawa Charge, and game three was no different.
The team elected to pass when they should have taken the shot, the power play hasn't produced a goal since game one, and the way they start games still leaves much to be desired. Credit: Ellen Bond “We can do a better job of taking shots on net,” said forward Rebecca Leslie. “We passed a lot up in the slot, so I think that finding ways to get more shots on net is only going to help us.
We just need to get back to finding ways to take those shots rather than pass them up. ” But not all is bad for the Charge. The play of forward Fanuza Kadirova, who finished with two points, including the opening goal in this game, and the “Ageless Wonder,” Jocelyne Larocque, continues to be standouts.
While the team’s power play has struggled, their penalty kill remains perfect through three games. Through the good and the bad this postseason, one storyline continues to dominate the headlines, and that is the performance of goaltender Gwyneth Philips. Credit: Ellen Bond Coming into this game, Philips had made 56 saves, allowing only three goals in the process, living up to the “Fort Philips” moniker that fans have adorned her with.