PHWL Finals Game 4 Hub: Ottawa Charge @ Minnesota Frost

For the first time ever, the Ottawa Charge are fighting for their playoff lives. Down 2-1 in a five-game series against the Minnesota Frost, another loss will bring their Walter Cup hopes to a bitter end, at least for this season, after which it will become much more difficult to win a championship.

Gwyneth Philips has been the Charge's best player in these playoffs, and that's a double-edged sword. The difference between being the best goaltender and a winning goaltender is having the support of your skaters, which wasn't there in Game 3.

Even though the Charge outplayed the Frost in the first two games, they only scored a combined 3 goals. Maddie Rooney has been a brick wall as well for Minnesota, but she didn't need to be on Saturday. That needs to change.

Game Notes:

• How will the Charge adjust offensively after being stifled? Emily Clark scored their lone goal by getting to a loose puck after it was simply thrown to the net, so more of that, please.
• I also noticed many instances where a Charge player joins an odd-man rush, only to be ignored by her linemates as they try to force a pass through the Frost defenders. Less of that, please.
• Speaking of which, Clark has locked herself into the Charge's protection list with Philips – 3 goals and 2 assists spread over 5 different games in which she's had a tangible positive impact on her team's chances. Will she be the hero again or will someone else step up in a big way?
• It's another 5:00 pm EST start, and another TSN1 broadcast. On top of a chance to play for the Walter Cup, a third night at a packed TD Place is what's at stake here.