Clark's Overtime Goal Gives Charge 2-1 Win in Game 1 of PWHL Finals

With Minnesota coming off a high-scoring, wildly entertaining series and Ottawa having just played a 4-game goalie duel, everyone who watches the PWHL was wondering which style of play would win out in this series. It ended up being somewhere in the middle, with a lot more scoring chances happening overall, but Philips stopping shots on her side of the ice and the Charge forwards unable to capitalize on chances on the other.

Minnesota got the first powerplay of the game and of the series when Markowski got called for slashing Britta Curl, and Minnesota’s supposedly league-best powerplay looked pretty lacklustre against Ottawa’s penalty kill.

The Charge eventually got the next powerplay, and looked much more dangerous than the Frost did. I’m still not sure how they managed not to score, but the Ottawa Charge always seem to find a way.

They closed out the first period with a ridiculous scoring chance for Gabbie Hughes that Hensley somehow saved. No score going into the first intermission.

Things picked up in the second period, if that’s even possible. Curl threw a dangerous knee-on-knee hit on Mrazova, who was slow to get up but ultimately stayed on the bench. No call on the play.

The Frost looked very good in the second period. They probably challenged Philips more in a few minutes than Montreal did in any one of their playoff games, and Ottawa’s defence wasn’t looking too hot. The Charge held on, but that and their continued inability to score was making a lot of fans nervous.

Weirdly, it was a penalty kill that got them going. After doing a fantastic job of neutralizing Minnesota’s powerplay, again, the play went the other way and Ottawa’s very own Rebecca Leslie scored her second goal of the playoffs, doubling her regular season total. 1-0 Ottawa.

🚨 Rebecca Leslie (2)
🍎 Tereza Vanišová
🍏 Jocelyne Larocque pic.twitter.com/i8lUHx3UO9

— x - Ottawa Charge (@PWHL_Ottawa) May 21, 2025

The goal really woke up the Charge. They followed it up with an absolutely ridiculous sequence in the offensive zone that somehow didn’t lead to another goal. They got another powerplay at the very end of the period, but couldn’t build on their lead. I’m sure that won’t come to bite them later in the game!

The third period brought more scary chances on both ends, with the Frost pushing hard for the equalizer but Ottawa’s defence up to the task. As usual, Ottawa had possession most of the time, but couldn’t do much with that possession. Then something terrible happened.

Philips left her net to play the puck, but fumbled it. She couldn’t get back in time, and the Frost took advantage. 1-1.

It was a very weird goal just because it was so out of character for Philips. She’s been so good all playoffs. It was strange to see her directly responsible for a goal against. But on the bright side, the Frost still hadn’t beaten her when she was actually in the net.

Minnesota looked very, very good after the tying goal, but Ottawa somehow managed to hold on, and eventually got back to playing their game. Some offsetting penalties late in the third, right as we approached “next goal wins” territory, had the potential to be difference makers, but it didn’t happen. Nobody scored at 5 on 5 either. We were headed to overtime. Oh boy.

Thankfully, Emily Clark made sure we wouldn’t have to sit through another marathon overtime game, scoring less than three minutes into the first overtime. 2-1 Ottawa.

EMILY CLARK THE WOMAN YOU ARE!!!! pic.twitter.com/kESQHdQcOU

— x - Ottawa Charge (@PWHL_Ottawa) May 21, 2025

Game notes

• Would you look at that: Minnesota didn't score a single goal with Philips actually in the net. She had to be very good tonight, and she was. Aside from that one big gaffe.
• Emily Clark. Man. She's been so, so good these playoffs.
• Savolainen could have had multiple goals tonight and made some very good defensive plays.
• It's so nice to see Rebecca Leslie become a hero in these playoffs. That's two goals in a row for her, on a team that is not very good at scoring goals.
• I liked what I saw from Gabbie Hughes, although she's seemed kind of snakebitten lately.