The Ottawa Charge defeated the Boston Fleet 2-1 on Friday, May 8, 2026, to take a lead in their PWHL semifinal series [1, 2].

This victory places Ottawa one win away from advancing to the championship finals in the best-of-five series [3]. The result shifts the momentum of the postseason clash as the teams head toward a potential deciding game.

The game took place at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Canada [1, 2]. While Boston controlled much of the offensive pressure, Ottawa capitalized in the final moments of regulation to secure the win [2, 3].

The decisive goal occurred with only 29 seconds remaining in regulation [3]. This late score broke the deadlock and ensured the Charge would take the 2-1 series lead [3, 4].

Despite the loss, the Boston Fleet dominated the shot clock throughout the evening. Boston recorded 37 shots on goal compared to 22 for the Ottawa Charge [5]. The disparity in shot volume suggests a defensive struggle for Ottawa and a failure to convert opportunities for Boston.

The two teams are scheduled to meet again for Game 4 on Sunday at 3 p.m. local time [5]. The Fleet must win that contest to force a fifth and final game in the series [3].

Ottawa leads 2-1

The Ottawa Charge's ability to win despite being outshot 37-22 demonstrates a high level of defensive resilience and efficiency. By securing a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series, Ottawa has placed the Boston Fleet in a position where they must win the next game to avoid elimination, intensifying the pressure on Boston's offense to convert their high volume of shots into goals.